Four dead, six rescued, two missing in Lagos helicopter crash

Rescuers at the scene of the helicopter crash Photo credit: Ben Ehimen Iyoha
Rescuers at the scene of the helicopter crash Photo credit: Ben Ehimen Iyoha
Rescuers at the scene of the helicopter crash
Photo credit: Ben Ehimen Iyoha

Four persons have been confirmed dead after a chopper belonging to Bristow Helicopters crashed into the Lagos Lagoon on Wednesday afternoon.

Six persons were rescued alive from the crash and rushed to the hospital.

Two other persons were still missing among the 12 occupants of the tragic chopper as at the time of filing this report.

The crash was said to have occurred at the back of Oworonsoki Police station after a loud bang was heard from the helicopter.

According to an eyewitness,  the aircraft marked 5NBGD was said to be coming from one of the oil rigs in Escravos area of the Niger Delta and was said to be heading for Lagos Island when it went down around 3.p.m.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Police, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and fire fighters were quick to the crash site.

Three persons were initially pulled out of the wreckage while one more body was pulled out a couple of minutes later.

According to the Divisional Police Office (DPO) Oworonshoki, Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP Chijioke Nduka, who led officers to the scene to rescue victims, there was a loud sound from the aircraft before the crash.

He said more officers including the Area Commander Ikeja Command, were at the scene assisting operatives of NEMA in the rescue operations.

To make rescue operations easier, routes to the site of the crash had been cordoned off hence gridlock on the Third Mainland.

The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ranti Adebule, visited the crash site but said it was too early to guess the cause of the crash.