Third person in Lagos helicopter crash has died

By our reporter|The third individual on board the Quorum helicopter that crashed into a building in Ikeja area of Lagos died on Friday evening at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja.

Two occupants died on the spot as the helicopter crashed into building in residential neighbourhood in Opebi area of Ikeja earlier on Friday.

Tunji Oketunmbi, spokesman of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), who confirmed the development, said the victim was taken to LASUTH after the accident.

“I can confirm that the victim that was rushed to the hospital after the accident is dead. I can’t confirm the time of his death but I have been briefed about his death,” he told an Online publication on Friday night via phone.

The helicopter, a Bell 206, with registration number 5N BQW belongs to Quorum Aviation, an air transportation and logistics company, flew in from Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital, with two crew members and a passenger.

Quorum Aviation had earlier in a statement asked the public to await the outcome of the investigation by AIB.

The statement read, “As soon as we received news of the accident, we promptly informed the aviation authorities, Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).”

“Preliminary reports indicate that of the three souls on board – all crew, two of the crew members lost their lives whilst the third one is currently receiving treatment at a hospital.

“We have been made to understand that nobody in the building, nor in the vicinity was injured for which we are grateful.

“In accordance with aviation regulations, the AIB has taken over the investigation process. We hereby ask members of the public to await the outcome of the investigation.

“We hereby express our heartfelt condolences to the families of the crew who lost their loved ones in this tragic accident.”