A helicopter flying in from Port-Harcourt owned by Bristow Helicopters crashed into the Oworosoki end of the Lagos lagoon around 3pm today. A total of 12 people were reportedly on board when the helicopter went down.

Speaking on the incident,  Ibrahim Farinloye, NEMA spokesman said,”We don’t know exactly what happened but we have called the Nigerian mission control centre (NIMCC) to confirm the distress signal.” he said, adding that “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.”

According to Vanguard, three of those on board have died while four injured ones were moved to the nearby Gbagada General Hospital.

Breaking: Helicopter crashes into lagoon in Oworoshoki http://t.co/FuMhgVhVSc @Gidi_Traffic pic.twitter.com/tA7sOCxBQF

— Inside Mainland (@InsideMainland) August 12, 2015

The rescue agencies are on their way to the scene of the crash.

#REPORT“@i_am_achm3d: An helicopter just dived into the water (3rd mainland bridge). Rescue needed asap. Please RT. @Gidi_Traffic — GIDITRAFFIC (@Gidi_Traffic) August 12, 2015

An eyewitness, Adaora Moka, was the first to tweet about the incident:

I just saw a helicopter crash into the lagoon from 3rd Mainland Bridge. I hope the people survive

— Adaora Moka (@jugomoka) 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. — Adaora Moka (@jugomoka) August 12, 2015

As at 7pm when our reporter left the scene, the helicopter was  yet to be recovered from the Lagoon. But our sources say the Nigerian Navy is on the way to bring out the helicopter out of the Lagoon.

See photos from the crash scene below (Photos by Michael Opeyemi):


NEMA officials conducting rescue efforts at the scene of the crash



NEMA senior officials directing proceedings at the site of the crash


More rescue efforts going on

 

 


Victims getting medical attention




Officials of LASEMA at the scene of the helicopter crash


Helicopter at the scene of the helicopter crash




Money found on some victims of the helicopter crash



See video from the crash site below:



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