Helicopter Crashes In Lagos Wednesday - Crash Is True, Say Bristow Helicopters Staff

by Benson Agoha | In London

* Staff attend to a Bristow Helicopter. (Credit: via Wiki).

A charter helicopter crashed this morning in Lagos, but while initial local media reports said all passengers on board survived, a Bristow staff told Woolwich Online they were still collating data on the incident.

Our call to Bristow Helicopters' Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos was answered by receptionist who said they will make information on the situation available when they are sure of the result of the search and rescue efforts.

Local media reports said a Bristow helicopter, on a charter journey to Lagos, reportedly crashed as it nears the Murtala Mohammed International Airport.

At the time of the crash, eleven passengers were said to have been on board, with reports claiming everyone of them survived because it crashed into the water and their life jackets kept them afloat.

The company confirmed that all aboard the helicopter were safe in what it termed "controlled water landing" near Lagos at about 10.25 a.m. local time.

It said the full resources of Bristow Group’s incident response team were mobilized and that they were fully cooperating with authorities responding to the incident.

In a statement, Duncan Moore, Bristow’s Regional Director Africa sad: “We are incredibly thankful that everyone on board the helicopter is safe and has been accounted for,” adding “Our highest priority is to take care of our crew and clients and their family members and provide them with any assistance needed.”

Family members and friends of those affected were advised to contact the company for information as follows:

For those located in Nigeria, the may telephone 01-271-6748.

For those located in the U.S. and Canada, they may dial toll free +1 (855) 979-7533.

or direct toll at +1 (567) 302-7004.

Monday's incident occurred just 6 months after the August 2015 crash also in Lagos, of another Bristow Helicopter in which 6 persons lost their lives. On that occasion, the helicopter crashed into the Oworonshoki end of the Lagoon.