Bristow chopper crash: two more bodies found

Precious Igbonwelundu, Wale Adepoju and Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

Two more bodies were yesterday recovered from the Lagoon into which a Bristow helicopter nosedived Wednesday evening. The death toll is now six.

The helicopter marked 5N-BDG-760540 was carrying 12 men, including 10 Indigo Oil dredging firm workers, who were returning from an oil rig between Ondo and Lagos where they had spent two weeks.

The recovery of the two bodies around 10am, signalled the end of rescue operations by emergency workers.

The remains of the dead were deposited at the Mainland General Hospital mortuary. The injured were moved to Saint Nicholas Hospital on Lagos Island.

Bristow released the names of the pilot and the co-pilot of the ill-fated chopper, describing both men as “experienced” and “qualified”.

The crew, Captain Joseph “Jay” Wyatt of Oklahoma, United States and First Officer Peter Bello, a Nigerian, according to the airline, were among the six fatalities recorded in what has been described as the company’s third crash in eight years. A dedicated hotline for family members of those on board the flight has been established.

Wyatt joined Bristow in 2006. He spent his entire career with the firm outside Africa. Bello joined the company last year after graduating from Bristow Academy’s helicopter flight school.

“We are shaken and deeply saddened by this tragic accident,” said Bristow’s Regional Director, Africa, Duncan Moore. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families, friends and loved ones of all those on board.

“Bristow has mobilised the full resources of its response team and is working closely with authorities on the investigation, including at the accident site to recover the aircraft.

“Medical treatment is being provided to those who are injured and trained coordinators have been assigned to the families of the crew members and passengers to support them with their every need and ensure that they receive the most current information and assistance.

“Bristow Nigeria would like to express its appreciation for the help and support it has received from the NCAA, the AIB, NEMA and other industry stakeholders.

“The company would also like to thank the Lagos State Government and the traditional ruler and people of the community where the accident occured,” said the airline.

A source at Gbagada General Hospital, where four of the injured were rushed to, said they were moved by an ambulance to Saint Nicholas.

“Four of them were admitted here. Chukwudi Onah, Dolu Ebiejuara, Onoriode Ojiete and Iniala Paimi, were brought here yesterday and admitted at the Trauma and Burns Unit.

“They had serious injuries. Most of them with fractured limbs and they could not walk. I left work about 11pm and they were still here. But when I came this morning, I was told they had been moved to Saint Nicholas and that they were carried in an ambulance,” she said.

But his narration contradicted that of another official of the hospital who said the patients were taken to another hospital barely three hours after they were brought in.

The source said family members and Bristow officials took the men away to another hospital.

He told The Nation that doctors were surprised by the men’s attitude but had to let them go, because they insisted they wanted better treatment in their company’s hospital.

According to him, the victims were in a stable condition.

At Afolabi Medical Centre, 78, Oworo Road, Oworonshoki, where Solomon Ude and Joshua Emekanma were admitted, the Medical Director, Dr. Olajide Afolabi, said the duo were discharged by mutual consent around 11pm on Wednesday.

Noting that the duo were stabilised with first aid before they were taken to an unnamed hospital in Ikoyi, Afolabi said they were conscious when they were brought to his hospital.

According to him, one of the victims had minor injuries on his limbs. The other had a fracture on one leg, but could possibly have a hip fracture too.

Ude and Emekanma, who were initially rushed to Afolabi Hospital, were on admission at Saint Nicholas yesterday.

The duo, it was learnt, were admitted on the third floor and had each received a guest as at 2pm.

Emekanma, according to Tyna Ukhun, who visted him, was responding to treatment.

Ukhun said: “Joshua is doing okay, because I just saw him now. What happened is not what I can explain now because Joshua was not able to tell that. Joshua is receiving treatment, I can assure you.”

The state of health of Ude could not be ascertained.

Visitors, except  “very close family members”, were barred from the wards before the visiting time (4p.m.).

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) commiserated with the families of the victims.

Acting General Manager Haruna Jaura, in a statement issued by the agency’s spokesperson, Lami Tumaki, described the incident as “unfortunate”.

He restated NIMASA’s commitment to Search and Rescue (SAR) operations in the nation’s maritime domain, adding that it was the agency’s core mandate.

Highlighting the role played by his personnel, Jaura said the search and rescue unit officers swung into action with SAR boat, “NIMASA BENUE”, to support rescue operations at the site of the incident.”