An helicopter just crashed into a lagoon at the Oworosoki area of Lagos around 3.45 pm.
Although it not clear if its a military, commercial or private helicopter that crashed, the South-west Spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye confirmed the incident.
He said already all the primary and secondary responders are moving in to ascertain the damage.
Speaking to THISDAY he said, “We don’t know exactly what happened but we have called the Nigerian Mission Control Centre (NIMCC) to confirm the distress signal.
“The centre will ascertain this through the COSPAS-SARSAT, also known as the beacon, which is a hi-tech satellite based equipment made by Russia, USA and Canada for search and rescue purposes.”
Headed by Navy Captain Michael Igwe the NIMCC will through the beacon assist NEMA and other responders in locating the distressed helicopter.
I just saw a helicopter crash into the lagoon from 3rd Mainland Bridge. I hope the people survive
— Jugo 🇨🇦 (@phlogisticat) August 12, 2015
This thing is so devastating. The helicopter burst into flames when it crashed into the water. I don't know if people will survive.
— Jugo 🇨🇦 (@phlogisticat) August 12, 2015
(via ThisDay)
Photos added at 19.11
Eyewitness photos shared by Uche Olatunde on Twitter at 18.37
Eyewitness photos from Twitter at 18.32
#JustIn: Deputy Governor of Lagos State has confirmed 6 people have been rescued from the scene of #HelicopterCrash pic.twitter.com/GUG8MEwF4K
— Kayode Akintemi (@KayodeAkintemi) August 12, 2015
#JustIn: image of the rescue effort by @NEMANigeria & @PoliceNG, last report indicate that 4 people have been rescued pic.twitter.com/GHtRwvdItO
— Kayode Akintemi (@KayodeAkintemi) August 12, 2015
Eyewitness photo from Twitter added at 18.09
More info has it that 3 people have been confirmed dead and 2 rescued from the lagos lagoon helicopter crash pic.twitter.com/Vt4YSwwoVa
— Brandiator 🇳🇬 #Obidient (@BenIyoha01) August 12, 2015
Update at 18.04 by YNaija
The chopper, which crashed into the Oworonsoki end of the lagoon, was reported to have 12 people on board.
The helicopter was said to be coming from Port Harcourt.
Out of the 12 passengers, three were confirmed dead while four wounded passengers were moved to Gbagada General Hospital.
The National Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, and policemen have began rescue operations.
Updated at 17:55 by Daily Independent
A helicopter belonging to Bristow has crashed into a lagoon in Oworonshoki area of Lagos around 3.40 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2015.
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Spokesman (South West), Ibrahim Farinloye, who confirmed the incident said emergency responders who rushed to the scene of the accident recovered three bodies while three injured persons had been rushed to hospital different hospital in Lagos.
He said his agency has not received any distress alert from chopper on its mission control centre.
However, he said NEMA got a distress alert about a ship in Warri, Delta State.
“We have maritime distress alert only about a ship around Warri in Delta State. Rescue agencies are on their way to the scene,” he said.
