At least three people were killed when a thrill-seeking tour helicopter crashed on the Hawaiian island of Kauaʻi on Thursday afternoon.
The aircraft, carrying a pilot and four passengers, crashed into the ocean near Kalalau Beach on the northwest coast of the island at around 3:45 p.m. local time, the Kauaʻi Police Department announced.
Officials received alerts regarding the crash from the department’s text-to-911 system.
The helicopter, owned by island touring company Airborne Aviation, went down approximately 100 yards off the Na Pali shoreline, HawaiiNewsNow reported, citing the US Coast Guard.
Kauaʻi is known for its breathtaking views of the mountains and cliffs and served as a filming location for Steven Spielberg’s 1993 blockbuster “Jurassic Park.”
The two survivors of the crash were taken to Wilcox Medical Center in Lihue on the other side of the island, according to officials.
Their conditions were not immediately revealed.
“This is a situation that is continuing to evolve,” Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami told KITV, cautioning residents to not speculate on the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Officials have not released the identities of those killed, nor have they revealed the cause of the crash.
Airborne Aviation markets itself as a “doors-off thrill seekers adventure tour” that offers optimal viewing and photography of Kauai’s shoreline, waterfalls, and canyons with flights lasting approximately 55 minutes, according to the company’s website.
The company’s fleet is made of Hughes 500 Helicopter, a light weight aircraft known for its speed and agility.
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