(l-r) Paul Nicholson, Sonia Marra, Harriet Nicholson and Helen Tamaki Lesbian New Zealander Helen Tamaki has died in a New York hospital as a result of the helicopter crash which earlier claimed the life of her long-term partner. NBC reports the medical examiner as saying Tamaki died as a result of complications from near-drowning, with the time of death listed at 7PM, 11 October, local time. Members of her family, who flew to New York from Wellington following news of the tragedy, are believed to have been at her bedside. Her partner, Sonia Marra, died in the river when she became trapped in the helicopter. Her body was found in the water about an hour after the crash. The couple lived together in Sydney and was on holiday in New York celebrating Marra's 40th birthday – Tamaki bought the helicopter ride as a present for her partner of more than 15 years. The pilot Paul Dudley, who was unhurt in the crash, was a friend of the couple. Marra's mother Harriet Nicholson and stepfather Paul Nicholson were also on the helicopter when it crashed however the latter was uninjured.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 13th October 2011 - 3:15pm