Breaking: Helicopter Crash Claims Lives Of 8 Passengers Say Police

Breaking: Helicopter Crash Claims Lives Of 8 Passengers Say Police

The Eastwind Aviation helicopter that tragically crashed into the Bonny River, Rivers State, yesterday, is feared to have claimed the lives of all eight occupants.…….CONTINUE READING 

The helicopter, carrying six passengers and two crew members, was en route from the Port Harcourt Military Base to FPSO NUIM ANTAN (offshore Calabar) when the incident occurred.

The Rivers State Police Command confirmed that all aboard the helicopter, which plunged into the Atlantic Ocean, are presumed dead.

Grace Iringe-Koko, the Police Public Relations Officer, said in a statement: “The Rivers State Police Command regrets to report the tragic incident, which occurred at approximately 11:00 a.m. today.”

She continued, “Mr. Ifeanyi Udogwu, an employee of Antan Producing Limited, reported that the helicopter, with the call sign number 5N-BQG (S76C+), belonging to Eastwind Aviation, departed from the NAF Base in Port Harcourt, heading to the Nuim Antan OML123 fields. Sadly, the helicopter crashed into the ocean near the Mimbo platform and FPSO, and all eight persons onboard are feared dead.”

Efforts to recover the wreckage and bodies are underway, with the Marine Division of the Rivers State Police Command collaborating with other agencies. The Police Command has extended its deepest sympathies to the bereaved families.

In a related statement, Odutayo Oluseyi, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, confirmed the helicopter crash.

It was revealed that the eight individuals onboard were contract workers of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL). Three bodies have been recovered so far, and search and rescue operations continue for the remaining passengers.

“The helicopter, a Sikorsky SK76 with registration 5N-BQG operated by Eastwind Aviation, took off from Port Harcourt Military Base to the Nuimantan Oil Rig before it crashed near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean,” the statement said.

Emergency response teams, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), and other relevant agencies, have been deployed. No Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal was received, but manual efforts are underway to pinpoint the crash location.

The National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has initiated an investigation into the crash. Bimbo Oladeji, Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at NSIB, confirmed that search and rescue operations were launched immediately in collaboration with NEMA, NCAA, and the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Captain Alex Badeh Jr., the Director General of NSIB, conveyed his condolences to the families, stating, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by this tragic incident. We are committed to uncovering the circumstances surrounding the accident and will provide clear and transparent findings.