The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has confirmed the recovery of a fourth body, bringing the total number of bodies recovered to four in a fatal helicopter crash.
OsunDailyNG reports that the NSIB is currently investigating the ditching incident involving a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registered as 5N BQG and operated by East Wind Aviation.
The NSIB reported that at precisely 4:00 PM, a Fast Rescue Craft (FRC) recovered a floating body from the water, with the Cameroonian Navy facilitating its safe passage to the NUIMS Antan, ensuring transit through their territorial waters.
Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at NSIB, stated that by 6:44 PM, field operations confirmed the body’s identity based on clothing details, specifically a T-shirt matching the description provided by the victims’ families. Photographic evidence further verified this identification as the fourth victim from the incident.
The statement reads: “By 6:50 PM, Eastwind Aviation was contacted to arrange an air ambulance for transporting the body tomorrow morning, with Eastwind actively coordinating this effort. By 7:05 PM: Antan Security informed the Port Harcourt Marine Police to prepare for receiving the body from the air ambulance.
“The NSIB is actively collaborating with a joint search, rescue, and recovery team, as well as various supporting agencies. These combined efforts are essential for ensuring a thorough and efficient recovery process and for gathering critical evidence to aid the investigation.”
