Copter crashes fighting brushfire
By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
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A Kaua'i pilot was in critical condition yesterday after his helicopter crashed in a reservoir on Christmas Day as he was helping fight a brushfire in Kapaia Valley.
A county spokeswoman identified the pilot as Jonathan D'Attilio. The Inter-Island Helicopters MD 369 helicopter he was piloting ÷ a private aircraft being used to help county firefighters ÷ crashed in De Mello Reservoir about 6 p.m. while D'Attilio was going to fill a water bucket slung under the helicopter, officials said.
D'Attilio was admitted to Wilcox Hospital, Kaua'i County spokeswoman Mary Daubert said.
Officials of Inter-Island Helicopters could not be reached for comment.
D'Attilio had rendezvoused with fire officials at Wilcox Hospital to have the bucket attached to the helicopter, then headed to nearby De Mello Reservoir for water. About 6 p.m., soon after he had left the hospital, a crash was reported and responding rescuers found the helicopter upside-down.
Battalion Chief Bill Quinlan was first to the scene and pulled D'Attilio from the wreckage, Daubert said. He was assisted by rescue specialists, who gave D'Attilio CPR.
Emergency medical technicians also gave D'Attilio CPR on the way to Wilcox Hospital, where D'Attilio remained in critical condition as of yesterday afternoon.
The brushfire in Kapaia Valley burned approximately three to five acres over almost four hours and forced the temporary evacuation of elderly residents at Sun Village condominium. It was determined to no longer be a threat at 6:45 p.m. Sunday.
Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.
Correction: Jonathan D'Attilio's name was misspelled in a previous version of this story.
