Four die, two missing in Lagos helicopter crash

Four bodies have been recovered from the wreckage of the helicopter that crashed into the Lagos Lagoon on Wednesday afternoon. Six persons were rescued alive from the crash, which occurred around 3.30pm around the Alonge area of Oworonshoki in the Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos, and rushed to the Lagos State Teaching Hospital, Ikeja. Two other persons are said to be missing among the 12 occupants of the ill-fated helicopter. The helicopter was said to be on its way from Ikeja, Lagos, before it suddenly crashed into the swamp behind the Oworonshoki Police Station. Policemen from the station and residents of the area told our correspondent that a loud noise was heard from the helicopter as it flew over the area before it crashed into the lagoon. The National Emergency Management Agency, the Police, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency and firefighters are involved in rescue operation. Three persons were initially pulled out of the wreckage while one more body was pulled out a couple of minutes later. The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ranti Adebule, visited the crash site but said it was too early to guess the cause of the crash. Meanwhile, security agencies have condoned off the area as residents and visitors, who heard about the crash immediately swarmed the crash area. The news of the crash has equally created a heavy traffic gridlock on the Third Mainland Bridge, which overlooks the site of the crash. (Punch)