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Five feared dead in Lake Nakuru helicopter crash

By NAIRA HABIB October 21st, 2017 1 min read

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has issued a statement indicating that there may be no survivors from the early Saturday morning helicopter crash in Lake Nakuru.

The Director General at KCAA Captain Gilbert Kibe has also confirmed that there were five people on board the helicopter – including a male pilot, three male passengers and one female passenger.

“We wish to confirm that there was a helicopter accident this morning at Lake Nakuru, initial indications are that there are no survivors,” Capt Kibe said in a statement posted on KCAA’s Facebook page.

A rescue boat is from the Naivasha Fisheries patrol team at the scene of the accident in Lake Nakuru. PHOTO | NATION
A rescue boat is from the Naivasha Fisheries patrol team at the scene of the accident in Lake Nakuru. PHOTO | NATION

“Investigations are ongoing through appropriate government agencies as to the cause of the accident. Also we wish to clarify that the helicopter is owned and operated by Flex Air Charters run by Capt. Bootsy Mutiso, contrary to media reports that it belongs to President Uhuru Kenyatta,” the statement added.

This even as Multi-Agency Disaster Management Stakeholders commenced on search and rescue operations early on Saturday afternoon.

In statement, Deputy Director and Communication Officer, National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU), Mwachi Pius Masai, said they have activated the Kenya Defence Forces Disaster Response Unit (KDF-DRU) through National Operation Centre (NDOC) to bring divers from the Kenya Navy.

Ambulances on stand by on the shores of Lake Nakuru. PHOTO | NATION
Ambulances on stand by on the shores of Lake Nakuru. PHOTO | NATION

“We appeal to members of the public to remain calm as we continue with the operations. We Will update you the progress,” he said in his statement to newsrooms.

The aircraft had left Jarika County Lodge and sources say it was flying low before it crashed. The chopper was to later ferry more journalists to a campaign rally.