OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 4:48 PM PT — Saturday, December 28, 2019
Three people killed in the fatal Hawaii helicopter crash this week have been identified. On Saturday, the Kauai Police Department confirmed the identity of two passengers and the pilot in the wreck.
“We have recovered six sets of remains. There are no indications of survivors. There’s two different sets of family members that were on the aircraft: party of two and a party of four.“
– Solomon Kanoho, Kauai Fire Chief
The victims were identified as Paul Matero, the pilot, and two passengers, Amy Gannon and her 13-year-old daughter Jocelyn. The four others on board are believed to be a family from Switzerland, but their identities have not yet been released.
Authorities said they recovered the remains of six of the victims and are searching for the seventh.
“I would like to reassure the family members and friends of all of those involved that we are sending out as much resources as we possibly can,” stated Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami.
Autopsies are still needed to positively confirm all identities. Authorities arrived in the islands this weekend to begin investigating the cause of the crash.
The pilot was reportedly on the “prescribed route” at the time of the crash. Officials said they are unsure if weather complications played a part in the crash.
Related: Officials Say Wreckage Of Missing Helicopter Found In Hawaii