NSIB Gives Update On Port Harcourt Helicopter Crash, Claims There Might Be Survivor
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), on Friday, confirmed that two more bodies have been recovered from the Sikorsky S-76 helicopter that crashed in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Naija News, on Thursday, had reported that helicopter with registration 5N-BQG, operated by Eastwind Aviation, crashed one kilometre away from its destination.
It was engaged by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
It crashed around 11:22 am along the waterways in the Rivers State capital after taking off from the Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN oil rig.
Three persons were confirmed dead following the crash, while eight persons were said to be on board the aircraft when the incident happened.
Barely a day after the crash, the NSIB said more bodies have been recovered while three more persons remain unaccounted for.
NSIB Director, General Alex Badeh, while speaking on Channels TV, said, “We have recovered two more bodies, making it a total of five. There are three more down there that hopefully will be recovered today.”
When asked if there are chances that none of those on board the aircraft survived the crash, Badeh said, “Unfortunately. this time, that is the working theory.”
According to him, investigators are on their way to the scene of the accident, saying it would take days for the wreckage of the aircraft to be recovered.
He said, “The priority is to recover the rest of the bodies there” but there is a “chance” that some persons onboard the aircraft might be alive.
“Human beings are resilient. As long as they have their life support devices, there is a chance we might find survivors there,” Badeh said.
The cause of the incident is unclear as of now but Badeh said “there was so light and moderate rain on their arrival and there was an overcast. We would look into that. That might have a chance or a role to play.
“Other than that, I can’t really say until we recover the flight recorder and speak to more witnesses there.”
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