Hawaii couple on honeymoon dies in Australia copter crash

Hawaii couple on honeymoon dies in Australia copter crash
Published: Mar. 22, 2018 at 1:26 AM HST|Updated: Mar. 22, 2018 at 5:23 PM HST
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(Image: Hawaii News Now)
(Image: Hawaii News Now)

AUSTRALIA (HawaiiNewsNow) - A Hawaii couple on their honeymoon died Wednesday when their tour helicopter crashed near the Great Barrier Reef off Australia.

Friends identified the two as Peter Hansel, 79, and his 65-year-old wife Sue. The Kona residents were on their honeymoon.

The Hansels got married in December.

"They were so happy," said friend Vern Ungerecht, adding the two were married in December. "They were planning this trip for a long time. They were so excited about this trip to Australia and then this."

The crash reportedly happened near a landing pontoon at Hardy Reef, a popular tourist destination. Authorities say the helicopter pilot pulled Sue Hansel from the wreckage and tried to revive her, but was unsuccessful.

Investigators say the pilot attempted to land several times before the helicopter crashed in the water.

Two other passengers, Sue Hansel's daughter and her partner, from Colorado also suffered non-life threatening injuries in the crash.

The cause of the crash is not yet clear.

This story will be updated.

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