2020-03-05 Tour Helicopter crashes in Puna Minor Injuries to All Aboard .._

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Roy Takemoto Managing Director Harry Kim Mayor Barbara J. Kossow Deputy Managing Director County of Hawai‘i Office of the Mayor 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603  Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720  (808) 961-8211  Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy., Bldg C  Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740 (808) 323-4444  Fax (808) 323-4440 March 5, 2020 NEWS RELEASE Tour Helicopter crash in Puna, Minor Injuries to All Aboard A Blue Hawaiian tour helicopter crashed in a wooded area of Puna on Thursday. The Fire Department received a call at 11:35 a.m. that a helicopter crashed in a grassy clearing near a forested area up rift of Hwy 130 and Ala`Ili Rd. The location was reported to be at or near an old geothermal site, which was located approximately 5 miles South West of Pahoa town. Due to the remoteness of the location, and unconfirmed access the Hawaii Fire Department “Chopper 1” was utilized to locate and access the scene. There were six (6) people aboard the aircraft and all parties, (5 passengers and the pilot) were out of the aircraft and ambulatory at the scene upon HFD arrival. All six were extricated from the scene with Chopper 1 and transported to the Pahoa Fire Station where they were evaluated by EMS personnel. A few of them sustained what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries, and at the time of this release, 5 of the 6 people were transported to Hilo Medical Center (for further observation and treatment) via Ambulance in good condition according to the Hawai‘i County Fire Department. The crash is located in an unpopulated area and there were no residences or other buildings located near the site. Inquiries about the circumstances of the crash are being referred to the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), the investigating authority. County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.