Coast Guard searching for missing people following helicopter crash off Kaua‘i coast

The U.S. Coast Guard continues its search today in waters off the Nāpali Coast of Kaua‘i, a day after a tourist helicopter crash that left one person dead and two currently missing.

As stated by the U.S. Coast Guard:

Coast Guard Sector Honolulu command center watchstanders received a report from Kauaʻi Fire Department personnel at approximately 1:40 p.m. of a helicopter that crashed with three people aboard approximately a quarter mile off the Na Pali Coast of Kauaʻi. A hiker on the Kalalau trail saw the helicopter crash into the water and notified the fire department.

Coast Guard Sector Honolulu watchstanders directed the launch of an HC-130J Super Hercules airplane crew and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Kaua‘i, and the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Gerczak, a 154-foot Sentinel-class cutter homeported in Honolulu.

Kaua‘i Ocean Safety Bureau Lifeguards embarked jet skis from Hanalei Bay, arrived on scene, and recovered an unresponsive individual from the water.

The Kaua‘i Fire Department responded with an Air 1 helicopter crew, zodiac rescue watercraft crews, and Ocean Safety officers aboard jet skis.

The helicopter that crashed was a Robinson R44 from the Ali’i Kaua‘i Air Tours and Charters company in Kaua‘i. The helicopter had one pilot and two passengers aboard.

Anyone with information that may assist search efforts should contact Sector Honolulu at 808-842-2603.