Police locate helicopter
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Police have located the helicopter that crashed in the Vuda waters early this week. West police chief Emori Laqai confirmed that the pilot was dead. The discovery was made two days after the crash.
Senior Superintendent Laqai commended all those who were part of the search team especially the divers from the Police Tactical Response Division. "Despite the political upheaval, they spent their time out there and managed to find the wreck and the pilot," he said. "We thank them for their tireless efforts."
The Island Hoppers-owned helicopter crashed while on its way to pick guests from an island resort off Lautoka. Airports Fiji Limited chairman for emergency operations centre Apenisa Nagatalevu said the helicopter was on its way to Vomo Island from Nadi when it crashed into the sea at approximately 6.59am on Tuesday.
The helicopter crashed between Vuda and Kadavu Lailai or Bounty Island. "There was one pilot on board," he said. "At this point, the cause of crash has not been identified." A team from the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji are investigating how the chopper crashed.
They had interviewed those who had been to the scene and also witnessed the chopper crashed. A diver from First Landing Resort who was one of the first to witness the helicopter go down said it exploded before going into the sea. Timoci Nasilasila, 23, of Viseisei in Vuda said that he was at home when he saw the helicopter go down.