A devastating helicopter crash on Thursday afternoon claimed three lives and left two people injured, authorities have confirmed.
The aircraft was carrying four passengers and one pilot when it came down at Kalalau Beach on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, according to the island's fire department.
Three people died in the incident, while the remaining two were transported to Wilcov Medical Centre for treatment following the crash at approximately 3.45pm.
The severity of their injuries remains unclear. Officials confirmed the helicopter was operated by Airborne Aviation. Kalalau Beach sits on the Na Pali Coast, along the island's north shore, where helicopter tours are widely popular.
Visitors rely on them to view the cliffs, beaches and waterfalls that line the Na Pali Coast, an area otherwise accessible only by hiking or boat.
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Teams from the Kauai Fire Department, Kauai Police Department, Kauai Emergency Management Agency, US Coast Guard, American Medical Response, and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources all responded to the scene.
The challenging landscape and restricted access, however, hampered early rescue attempts, forcing emergency personnel to reach the crash site by air and sea.
Authorities have not disclosed what caused the crash, though the National Transport Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration have been informed and are anticipated to conduct a joint investigation. This follows an incident in July 2024 when a Robinson R44 helicopter, operated by Ali'i Kaua'i Air Tours & Charters, plunged into the sea near Hanakoa Valley along the same coastline, resulting in three fatalities, reports the Express.
One casualty was immediately confirmed dead, while the other two were initially considered missing until the search was abandoned several days later.
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