It was more tears and sorrow, Friday evening, as the third crew member of the ill-fated helicopter that crashed into a building in the Opebi area of Lagos, Friday afternoon, died at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, where he was rushed to.
Mr. Tunji Oketunji, Head, Public Affairs of Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), broke the tragic news, and revealed that the victim was a fitter. This brings the number of fatalities from the crash to three.
The Bell 206-B3 helicopter, with registration number-Marks 5N-BQW- operated by Quorum Aviation, crashed into building numbered 16 A, Salvation Road, Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos, at about 12.05 p.m. on Friday.
The AIB confirmed that it was notified about the crash by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) about 25 minutes later and had since commenced investigation into the accident.
Giving his initial situation report, the Director-General and CEO of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, had disclosed that: “The helicopter was carrying three people, one is in the intensive care unit at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital while the other two were killed on impact and their bodies have been deposited in the mortuary.”
The AIB has solicited credible information concerning the crash, saying: “We want the public to know that we would be amenable to receiving any video clip, relevant evidence, or information any members of the public may have of the accident; that can assist us with this investigation. The Bureau will appreciate that the general public and press respect the privacy of the people involved and not assume the cause of the accident until formal report is released.”
A statement from Quorum Aviation, operators of the ill-fated helicopter, confirmed that a light helicopter belonging to it with registration Number 5N-BQW, flying from Port Harcourt to Lagos, crashed between two buildings in Ikeja en-route Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos.
“As soon as we received news of the accident, we promptly informed the aviation authorities, Accident Investigation Bureau and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
“Preliminary reports indicate that of the three souls on board – all crew, two of the crew members lost their lives whilst the third one is currently receiving treatment at a hospital. We have been made to understand that nobody in the building or in the vicinity was injured for which we are grateful.
“In accordance with aviation regulations, the AIB has taken over the investigation process. We hereby ask members of the public to await the outcome of the investigation. We hereby express our heartfelt condolences to the families of the crew who lost their loved ones in this tragic accident,” said the statement signed by the company’s management.”
