(L-R) Paul Nicholson, Sonia Marra, Harriet Nicholson and Helen Tamaki A report into the New York chopper crash which claimed the life of lesbian New Zealander Helen Tamaki has found the helicopter was too heavy to be in the air. Tamaki, 43, died from injuries sustained when the helicopter crashed into the East River on October 4 last year. Her partner, Sonia Marra, 40, also died in the river. Marra's mother, 60-year-old Harriet Nicholson, died later. Her stepfather, 71-year-old Paul Nicholson, and the pilot survived. A report from the United States Transport Safety Board says the helicopter was loaded above its maximum allowable gross weight at take-off.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 23rd December 2012 - 12:07pm