Categories: Headlines

Helicopter Crash Kills Two, Injures One In Lagos

 

A helicopter crash has killed two people and critically injured one person in the Opebi area of Lagos State on Friday, according to a state official.

Sources say that the helicopter, a Bell 206, with registration number 5N BQW which belongs to Quorum Aviation, came in from Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital with two crew members and a passenger.

According to the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Gboyega Akosile, 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.

DG of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Osanyintolu, speaks to Channels TV on the helicopter crash in Lagos that killed two people and injured one person on Friday.

 

READ ALSO: Lagos Helicopter Crash: AIB Recovers Blackbox, Begins Investigation

Meanwhile, Director-General of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Osanyintolu, confirmed that the accident happened at mid-day when a distress call was made.

The LASEMA boss noted that with the quick response by the emergency team, one person was rescued.

“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.”

Similarly, 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.

A Big, Loud Sound

An eyewitness, Adepeju Johnson, was in her residence when she heard the noise from the helicopter blades, wondering what it was, she first thought it was about to rain, only to see thick black smoke and loud noise between her building and that of her daughter-in-law.

“This one landed where it was least expected. Unfortunately, the helicopter was between my house and my daughter-in-law’s house.

“There was a big sound I’ve never heard in my life, there was thick smoke, but there was no fire. All I have to do is to thank God because it did not land on the roof,” she stressed.

Meanwhile, the Accident Investigation Bureau has recovered the black box from the crashed helicopter while emergency response agencies began clearance of the wreckage from the scene.

Officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) at the scene of the incident. Photo: Twitter@LASEMA
Scene of the crash in Lagos on Friday, August 28th, 2020.
Crowd and rescue officials gather at the scene of the helicopter crash in Lagos on Friday
Emmanuel Egobiambu

Disqus Comments Loading...
Share
Published by
Emmanuel Egobiambu

Recent Posts

Court Ordered Release Of 313 Suspected Terrorists To Borno Govt – DHQ

Borno is one of the North-Eastern states that is worst hit by the Boko Haram…

13 mins ago

Police Raid Juju Shrine, Arrest Witch-Doctor, 25 Others In Port Harcourt

According to the police, the witch-doctor and his crew specialize in car snatching operations and…

19 mins ago

Falana Writes Senate President, Seeks Reversal Of Sen Ningi’s Suspension

Falana also said that the Senate by its actions violated the right of the entire…

35 mins ago

Terrorist Leader Fasagora Killed In Zamfara

Fasagora and his terrorist group, have long been responsible for a series of kidnappings and…

50 mins ago

Japan Leukaemia Survivor Ikee To Swim At Paris Olympics

An 18-year-old Ikee was named MVP of the 2018 Asian Games after claiming six golds…

2 hours ago

Military Declares Eight Wanted Over Murder Of Soldiers

The list was released hours after the slain soldiers were buried in a ceremony attended…

2 hours ago