A helicopter that crashed in Lagos has killed two people and severely injured one person in the Opebi area of the state on Friday, state officials said.
According to sources the helicopter, a Bell 206, with registration number 5N BQW which belongs to Quorum Aviation, flew in from Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital. Aboard the copter were two crew members comprising of a pilot and co-pilot as well as a passenger.
READ ALSO: FG Will Support NAFDAC On COVID-19 Vaccine Research- Health Minister
Chief Press Secretary to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Gboyega Akosile revealed that the injured victim has been taken to the hospital, while the dead bodies have been deposited at the mortuary.
Flash: There's been a helicopter crash in a private house at Opebi area of Lagos. Two people confirmed dead, 1 person badly wounded and has been taken to the hospital. The dead bodies have been deposited at the mortuary.
The Lagos State Emergency services are on ground. pic.twitter.com/7tYtgollIe
— Gboyega Akosile (@gboyegaakosile) August 28, 2020
LASEMA Response Team at Opebi Helicopter Crash, rescue ongoing
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA has activated its resources to the helicopter crash at 16A Salvation Opebi Road, today, Friday, 28th August, 2020.
Operations ongoing. Updates to be forwarded pic.twitter.com/Dmk4cgX3Im
— Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (@followlasema) August 28, 2020
Meanwhile, Director-General of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Osanyintolu, affirmed that the accident happened at mid-day when a distress call was made.
The LASEMA boss stated that the quick response by the emergency team had one person rescued from the rubbles of the crash.
“At about 12noon, we received a distress call in our command and control centre that there was a helicopter mishap and immediately we activated the Lagos state emergency response team.
“We were able to rescue one person alive and he has been transferred to the Lagos state teaching hospital where he is receiving adequate treatment, but it is pertinent to note that we recovered two bodies and they have been deposited at the mortuary.
“Based on the investigation carried out, it was due to the impact that led to their mortalities,” Dr Osanyintolu stressed that people on the ground were not affected by the crash.
In addition, spokesman of the National Emergency Management Agency, Mr Ibrahim Farinloye said “about a few hours ago, we got information that there was a crash, so we contacted the control tower and they confirmed that they lost control. We called on NEMA headquarters to look at the distress alert which confirmed the crash and gave us the coordinates.
Emergency officials from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, the traffic management agency, and other sister agencies have been deployed to the crash site.
Tunji Oketunmbi, the spokesperson of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) had earlier confirmed the incident to reporters.
The site at which The helicopter crashed is 16A Salvation, Opebi Road in Ikeja, Lagos.
READ ALSO: Blasphemy: Nigerians React to Ganduje’s Death Warrant Threat
Leave a Reply