Bristow Helicopters Crash: All 11 People On Board Rescued Alive As AIB Launches An Investigation

Nigeria’s Air Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, said on Wednesday that all the 11 people on board a Bristow Helicopters aircraft that was ditched into the Atlantic Ocean earlier in the day had been rescued alive.

AIB’s spokesman, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi, described the incident as a crash and said an investigation had commenced.

“A S76 C++ helicopter marked 5N-BQJ  belonging to Bristow Helicopters, which departed ERHA Platform enroute Lagos was ditched into the Atlantic Ocean 95 nautical miles into destination at about 10:20 am local time.

“All the eleven souls on board including two crew members were rescued alive. Accident Investigation Bureau AIB has commenced investigation into the occurrence. Details will be communicated to you later,” Mr. Oketunbi said.

It was the second time in less than six months that a Bristow Helicopters aircraft was involved in a crash. On 12 August last year, five people died when one of its helicopters plunged into the Lagos lagoon.