‘Forever loved’: Candlelight vigil held for 3 aboard downed medical transport flight

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A candlelight vigil and three minutes of silence were held statewide on Thursday for the three people still missing and presumed dead after an air ambulance plane crash a week ago.

One of the victims became a paramedic after he needed a med-evac flight years ago.

Longtime friends and coworkers identified him as Gabe Camacho, a father of three from Kailua.

“A good friend. He was always there when you needed him. Always there to make you laugh,” said Jess Rodrigues, who grew up with Camacho.

A statement to Hawaii News Now from Camacho’s family read:

“Our family would like to thank the Coast Guard as well as all who were involved in the search for our son as well as the other two crew members. We truly feel the love and support from not only our family and friends but from the community at large. Gabriel loved what he did and he was well aware of the risks. He will be forever loved and remembered by us all.”

The family is also requesting the public to respect their privacy during this difficult time.

At Thursday’s vigil loved ones embraced, honoring Camacho and his two coworkers on that tragic flight. One of them, medical flight nurse Courtney Parry, leaves behind a daughter on Maui.

The pilot of the aircraft has not been publicly identified.

This GoFundMe as been set up on behalf of the three crew members on board.

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