KŌKE‘E, HI (WSAU) -- Two of the deceased individuals in a Hawaiian tour helicopter crash have Wisconsin ties.
Investigators say they have identified the remains of 47-year-old Amy Gannon and 13-year-old Jocelyn Gannon of the Madison area.
Amy was the co-founder of a non-profit that aimed to help female entrepreneurs. Jocelyn was an 8th grader at Hamilton Middle School.
The helicopter, piloted by 69-year-old Paul Matero, was taking the Gannons and another family of 4 around a remote portion of an island that served as the backdrop for the film Jurassic Park.
There were no survivors. Officials have identified the remains of six of the seven individuals who were on board the chopper.
The flight was operated by Safari Helicopters, who released the following statement on Saturday: “The Safari Helicopter family, along with the broader community, mourn the loss of seven lives that were on Thursday’s sightseeing flight.” Owner Preston Myers added that the pilot, Matero, had 12 years of experience in Kauai and called him a “seasoned member of our team.”
It's the ninth tour helicopter crash in the last ten years according to the NTSB, and the third with fatalities.
Some politicians are blaming the crash on a lack of regulation. Representative Ed Case of Hawaii told the Associated Press that the low altitudes that the helicopters fly at poses a risk to everyone while adding many companies don't take factors like weather or darkness into account when taking off.
The FAA says the flights are safe and have no concerns about the industry.
