Story by Juliana Francis, Wole Shadare and Murtala Ayinla
Six rescued
At least six passengers aboard a Bristow helicopter died yesterday when it crashed into the lagoon at Oworonsoki, Lagos. The helicopter, said to be returning from an oil rig at Escravos, Delta State, plunged into the lagoon near the Third Mainland Bridge, about 4pm. It was heading to Ikeja Airport, Lagos.
The helicopter was said to be carrying at least 12 passengers, including the pilot and co-pilot, when it crashed into the water behind the Oworoshoki Police Station. At press time, it was not clear what led to the accident. But, residents claimed there was a loud bang before the helicopter crashed.
An air traffic controller, said: “The helicopter with registration number 5N-BDG was said to be returning from the Escravos when the accident occurred.” Fishermen, who first sighted the helicopter as it flew zigzag through the sky, noted that it appeared as if it had an engine problem. They said that the helicopter made a shuddering noise and then plunged into the lagoon.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Patricia Amadin, confirmed the crash. About 5pm, a rescue team made up of the police, officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), etc, had retrived four bodies and rescued six passengers. “The helicopter belongs to Bristow Helicopter. We believe that 12 passengers were on board. Our men and NEMA officials have rescued six people and brought out four corpses.
“For now, we do not know the identity of the rescued or dead. We also do not know whether they are foreigners or Nigerians. The search for more passengers is still on,” Amadin said. Among those rescued, two were seriously injured and were immediately rushed to Afolabi Hospital, located at New Garage, Bariga, while others were taken to Gbagada General Hospital. The Public Relations Officer (PRO), NEMA, South-West Zone, Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, also confirmed the crash.
He said: “No distress call was sent to NEMA alert system from the chopper, but rescue agencies are on their way to the scene of the incident. Three dead bodies recovered so far. Two injured have been taken to Afolabi Hospital. Another injured person is receiving treatment at the General Hospital.”
When contacted, Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) said its officials were already on their way to the scene of the accident and would make their findings public. The spokesman for AIB, Tunji Oketunbi, said it was too early to ascertain the cause of the accident.
The AIB said it was already collaborating with relevant agencies to commence investigations into the cause of the crash. Officials of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed the crash of the chopper but could not get details of the accident. The NCAA spokesman, Fan Ndubuoke, said in a statement that the helicopter was scheduled to arrive Lagos 15.35 pm and had 12 passengers on board, including the crew.
He said: “At present, officials of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigeria Police are at the site, providing rescue operation for the victims.
While this is ongoing, further details will be communicated as appropriate.” Relatives of victims and staff of the helicopter have contacted local divers to retrieve the two missing bodies.
The helicopter was said to have been hired by Indigo Drilling located on Victoria Island, Lagos. One of the staff of the oil company, who negotiated with the local divers, said efforts were being made to get financial support to encourage the divers. According to him, the divers promised to search for the remaining bodies overnight. “Please come over, the work is to be done overnight.
This is about the helicopter crash around our area in Owowronshoki,” one of the divers said while calling a colleague on the phone. Meanwhile, the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, and the Secretary to State Government, Tunji Bello, yesterday visited the survivors at the Gbagada General Hospital. According to Adebule, four of them were in a good condition.
She noted that other two were at Afolabi Hospital. She said: “I just spoke with the victims and they are responding well. We will also transfer the other two at the private hospital here. We can’t give you the accurate figure of those affected yet because rescue efforts are still ongoing.
We are still searching the site and we hope to get more people rescued.” A doctor on duty at the general hospital said the chances of the victims surviving were high. He added: “Two sustained bone injuries and burns.”
Survivors
1. Solomon Ude
2. Joshua Emekema
3. Chukwudi Ona
4. D olu Ebijura
5. O noriode
6. I niala Opami
SOURCE: NEW TELEGRAPH
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