2 dead, 1 rescued in Opebi -Lagos helicopter crash
*Residents express gratitude to God for safety
By Our Reporter
Two people were confirmed dead and one rescued alive in a helicopter crash that occurred at Opebi, Ikeja area of Lagos at about 12.14pm today.
According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the helicopter crashed into a building at No. 16, Salvation Road in Opebi, Ikeja, north of Lagos State.
The Acting Coordinator of the Lagos Territorial Office of NEMA, Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed the development in an interview with reporters in Lagos.
He said: “One person was rescued alive and two persons died including the pilot.”
Meanwhile, residents of the area where the crash occurred have expressed gratitude to God for sparing their lives. To them, we are still shocked about the entire incident. It is still a mystery and we than God for saving our lives, they said.
Our reporter, who was at the scene of the incident and spoke to some the residents, noted that the residents called on the government and relevant authorities that superintend the aviation sector to ensure proper maintenance of aircraft before they fly.
A resident, Mrs Grace Awolaja, said it was shocking and surprising to experience such an unexpected incident. According to her, the helicopter was seen hovering in the sky for some minutes before crashing into the building. “We thank God that nobody was affected in the building but l learnt that the pilot and two people died.
Another resident, Alhaji Saliu Bamidele, said the seizure of engine might be responsible for the crash. Saliu said the helicopter landed and crashed at the back of house 16, Salvation Road while two cars and fence were affected.
Another resident, Mr Mark Okeke, a fabric shop owner in front of the building, said the helicopter was cited in the air struggling to crash land in the canal but suddenly picked up and faced the building. “We just heard loud sound accompanied with thick dust from the building,” he added.
“Majority of the residents was not at home, hence there was no causality in the building but the pilot and all the three people in the helicopter were found dead,” he told our reporter.
The Acting Coordinator, Lagos Territorial Office of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye confirmed that the helicopter belongs to Quorum Aviation Limited.
Ibrahim said that the incident occurred at about 12.47pm at 16, Salvation Road, Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos State.
He confirmed that two people died immediately while one person was taken to the intensive Care Unit of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).
“The helicopter, Bell 206, with registration number 5N-BQW from Port Harcourt crashed into a building situated at No. 16A Salvation Road, Opebi, Ikeja.
The Accident Investigations Bureau (AIB), also confirmed the incident, saying the emergency services operators had been deployed. The General Manager, Tunji Oketunbi, said the AIB team of investigators were also on ground at the scene of the incident, and assured on the commencement of investigations immediately.
