(l-r) Paul Nicholson, Sonia Marra, Hariet Nicholson and Helen Tamaki The family of a lesbian New Zealander who survived a horrific New York helicopter crash in which her partner died say they are being overwhelmed with support but that she is still in a critical condition in hospital. The family rushed to Helen Tamaki's bedside after the sightseeing helicopter she, her partner Sonia Marra and Marra's mother and stepfather were in crashed into New York's East River moments after takeoff. Marra was killed in the crash when the heliccopter sank deep into the murky river before she could escape. Marra's mother was also critically injured. "Helen is still critical and we are relieved to be at her bedside. We have been overwhelmed with the support shown to us," the Tamaki family say in a statement. "We are still grieving for the loss of Sonia Marra Nicholson as she was a huge part of the family." The family have also thanked those involved in the rescue, who they say showed "great courage." They say pilot Paul Dudley, a family friend, also "acted with great bravery in the rescue". No cause has yet been identified for the crash.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 11th October 2011 - 3:19pm