Lagos Helicopter Crash: Buhari Speaks

President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the families of the victims of the helicopter that crashed in the Opebi area of Lagos State.

The President’s condolence was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina.

According to the statement, President Buhari said the nation awaits the report of the investigation into the accident by the aviation regulatory agencies.

While praying that God will console the families of the victims and grant peace to the souls of the dead, the President wished the injured a speedy recovery.

The President’s reaction comes hours after the aircraft crashed into a private residence, killing two crew members and critically injured one person.

The helicopter, a Bell 206, with registration number 5N BQW is said to belong to Quorum Aviation and came in from Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.

Black Box Recovered
Meanwhile, the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has recovered the black box of the helicopter that crashed into a residential building in Lagos State on Friday.

Officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) are moving the wreckage from the scene of the incident as an investigation into the crash begins.

While confirming the incident, the Director-General of LASEMA, Dr Femi Osanyintolu disclosed that two persons died from the crash with one other critically wounded.

“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,” he explained.

“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.”