At least four people were killed in an offshore helicopter accident in Nigeria on Wednesday, Reuters has reported, citing Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.
The helicopter, operated by Bristow Group, was returning from an offshore drilling rig. According to Bristow, the incident happened around 3.30 p.m. local time while the aircraft, a Sikorsky S-76C+, was on approach to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
Reuters reports that the helicopter crashed into a lagoon in the Oworonshoki area of Lagos.
There were twelve people on board at the time of the accident, ten passengers, two crewmembers.
“Four bodies have been recovered. Six people survived, and two people are missing,” Fan Ndubuoke , a spokesman for the NCAA told Reuters.
In the tweet below, there is a photo of what appears to be the helicopter involved in the accident.
#NewsAlert @CITY1051 PHOTO OF THE HELICOPTER THAT CRASHED INTO LAGOS LAGOON YESTERDAY. pic.twitter.com/24HD5OKw61
— citynews (@citynews1051) August 13, 2015
Bristow’s Regional Director Africa, Duncan Moore on Wednesday said: “Our thoughts are with those affected by this accident,” said Bristow’s Regional Director Africa, Duncan Moore . “We are committing our full resources to help.“ “Our highest priority is to take care of our crew and clients and their family members and provide them with any assistance needed,” Moore said.
Our thoughts are with the friends & families of the passengers and crew onboard Bristow’s flight that was involved in an accident at Lagos.
— Bristow Group Inc (@bristowgroup) August 13, 2015
Bristow personnel are currently working to confirm the number of people on board, their identities and the extent of any injuries. Bristow will continue to release additional information as soon as it is confirmed, Bristow said in a release on its website.
Bristow Helicopters (Nigeria) Limited has published a dedicated hotline for relatives and friends of those on board the helicopter, tail number 5N-BGD. Family members of those on board may telephone +1 (855) 979-7533 or +1 (567) 302-7004 for more information.
“We are committed to providing our full support to family members of those on board,” Moore said.
Offshore Energy Today has reached out to Bristow, seeking more details into the cause of the accident. We will update the article should we get a response.
Update
Bristow Helicopters (Nigeria) Limited today confirmed that six people have been killed in an offshore helicopter accident in Nigeria.
Offshore Energy Today Staff
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