Emmanuel Thomas, Lagos
August 14, 2015 – The black box of the ill-fated Bristow Helicopter that crashed into the Lagos Lagoon on Wednesday has been found.
According to news monitored on Television Continental (TVC), the black box was found today by the Accident and Investigation Bureau(AIB).
Six people aboard the helicopter which took off from a rig in Ondo State died while six others survived and are currently recuperating at the Gbagada General Hospital.
General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Michael Akindele who addressed journalists in company of South-West Zonal Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Dr. Bamidele Onimode said that Accident and Investigation Bureau(AIB) have taken over investigation.
He said that the six survivors are currently at Gbagada General Hospital and are now in stable condition. “Authorities of Briscoe Helicopters are asking that the survivors be taken to St. Nicholas Hospital, which is their hospital for further examination”, he said.
He said that although the number of those recovered(survivors and dead) tallied with the number of those alleged to be on board the helicopter including the pilot and co-pilot, he is nevertheless waiting for an official manifest from Briscoe helicopter to enable the Lagos State Government make official pronouncement on the incident.
He thank all stakeholders that were involved in the search and rescue operation including local divers, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Marine Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC), Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) and Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni whom he said was on ground throughout yesterday.
Sources say that those aboard the helicopter are freelancers s working for Indigo drilling, an oil servicing company in Ondo State.
