A helicopter belonging to Bristow Helicopters with 12 people on board yesterday crashed into the Lagoon near the Oworonshoki end of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
According to an eyewitness, the aircraft marked 5NBGD was said to be coming from one of the oil rigs in Escravos area of the Niger Delta and was said to be heading for Lagos Island when it went down at about 3.p.m.
According to reports, four of those on board were confirmed dead while four wounded ones were moved to the nearby Gbagada General Hospital as at press time yesterday.
The crash was said to have occurred at the back of Oworonsoki Police station after a loud bang was heard from the helicopter.
First respondents, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), its Lagos state counterparts, LASEMA, and policemen embarked on the rescue operations.
According to the Divisional Police Office, Oworonshoki, Chief Superintendent of Police Chijioke Nduka, who led officers to the scene to rescue victims, there was a loud sound from the aircraft before the crash. He said more officers including the Area Commander Ikeja Command, were at the scene assisting operatives of NEMA in the rescue operations.
To make rescue operations easier, routes to the site of the crash was cordoned off, creating gridlock on the Third Mainland bridge.
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