UPDATED: 4 Dead, 6 Rescued, 2 Still Missing In Lagos Helicopter Crash

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Wednesday, August 12th, 2015

By Ayo Balogun – Emergency responders have confirmed four people dead, six rescued and two others still missing in the helicopter which crashed into the Lagos Lagoon at Oworonshoki, Lagos.

The helicopter crash occurred around 3pm as it suddenly plunged into the Lagos Lagoon.

Officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, police, NEMA, Navy, Fire Services, among others arrived the scene on time to begin rescue operation.

The Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Rasak Fadipe confirmed that four dead bodies had been removed from the crash and six others rescued.

According to him,12 passengers were on board when the crash occurred, disclosing that two people were still missing which were the pilots of the helicopter.

Fadipe said that a part of the wrecked helicopter had been recovered while rescue operation was still on.

He stated that the crash might be as a result of engine problem, but noted that it had not yet been ascertained.

General Manager, LASEMA, Mr. Michael Akindele also confirmed that four people have been recovered dead and six others rescued alive.

He disclosed that of the six rescued, four were taken to the Gbagada General Hospital and two others to a private hospital in Oworonshoki.

Akindele stated that the agency got a distress call around 3pm that a helicopter had crashed into the Lagoon, saying that the agency quickly activated the emergency response.

Helicopter Crash: Ambode Commiserates With Victims

Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has commiserated with the victims of the helicopter that plunged into the lagoon around the Oworonshoki area of the State yesterday, expressing his deep regrets over the unfortunate incident.

The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Oluranti Adebule added that the government dispatched its emergency team to the site upon hearing of the accident, informing that top officials of the government were at the site on the directive of the governor to get first hand information on the accident and offer necessary support and assistance while also allaying the fears of residents of the area over the unfortunate incident.

The Deputy Governor was also at the Gbagada General Hospital where four of the survivors were brought for medical attention and she offered words of encouragement to the injured passengers, assuring them that the best of medical care will be made available for them at the hospital.

“We have four of the survivors at the Gbagada General Hospital while two others are at a private hospital, Afolabi Medical Centre, where they are being attended to as a sort of first aid pending when their condition improves and they will be transferred to the general hospital.

“Information gathered at the site indicated that there were 12 passengers on the ill-fated flight, and four people have been confirmed dead and their bodies recovered and deposited at the mortuary, while efforts is still on to find the remaining passengers as well as the debris of the helicopter,” she stated