Family members of one of the victims of the tragic Sikorsky SK76 helicopter crash, operated by East Wind Aviation, are urgently seeking the recovery of their loved one’s body for a proper burial. This unfortunate incident occurred last Thursday, leading to overwhelming grief for the victim’s family.
Mr. Ledum Light, the son of Mr. Boris Ledum Ndorbu, who was employed by Arion Energy, a subsidiary of the NNPC, expressed his shock and devastation over his father’s death during an interview in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The crash, which involved a helicopter carrying NNPC workers, took place last Thursday, resulting in the recovery of three bodies initially reported. However, on Sunday, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) updated the information, stating that two bodies had been recovered from the ocean. Reports also clarified that the helicopter went down in the Gulf of Guinea, not near Bonny in Rivers State as previously suggested.
During the emotional interview, Light shared, “My father was one of the crew members who were on their way to work. I received a call from his employer around 3 p.m. on Thursday, delivering the heartbreaking news.” He noted the disbelief surrounding his father’s sudden passing, especially since they had spoken just that morning when his father seemed healthy and vibrant.
Light further lamented the lack of information following the incident, stating that the family felt neglected and kept in the dark. “From what we understand, their bodies are still unaccounted for. We’ve been informed that only three bodies have been recovered, and unfortunately, my father’s is not among them.”
As a member of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Light mentioned that the family is in contact with the union for updates. “According to the latest information, divers have been deployed, but it seems that not enough resources have been allocated to the search efforts,” he commented. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, highlighting that significant measures should be taken to assist in recovering the bodies.
Light explained that his father had been commuting from a hotel to the naval base, where he would board his flight to work. “He had been staying at the hotel since Monday, but it was only on Thursday that he traveled by helicopter. We had a brief conversation that morning around 7 a.m., when he confirmed that he was at the muster point heading to the naval base,” he recounted.
The family’s main focus at this time is to recover the bodies of their loved ones. Light expressed, “All we want right now is for the bodies to be found. That’s our priority. We just want to see him again, whether alive or deceased. We urge all relevant authorities to take every possible measure to ensure the recovery of his body, as that is what matters most to us at this moment.”
Mrs. Mbet Ledum, the victim’s wife, echoed her husband’s sentiments, describing the incident as a devastating blow. “Receiving the news was incredibly shocking and left us feeling weak. We want to know whether he is alive or dead; we just want to see him again,” she pleaded, struggling to hold back tears. She noted that after the initial notification, the family had not received further updates.
“We are calling for assistance in locating his body, whether he is alive or deceased. He told us he was going to work, and we simply want him back home,” she emphasized.
NUPENG Chairman Harold Gift Ntem commented on the incident, stating that only three bodies were initially recovered, followed by the discovery of a headless body, bringing the total to four. He criticized the management of East Wind Aviation for alleged negligence and for failing to ensure safe flight operations for their crew members. Ntem said, “On the 24th of this month, a tragic flight accident claimed the lives of our members, including the pilot and co-pilot, totaling eight souls. We must clarify misinformation circulating on social media regarding the recovery of additional bodies.”
Ntem further clarified the location of the crash, asserting it occurred in international waters, not near Bonny River as reported. “The crew is leading the search for the bodies in the field, and we urge the public to understand the situation and the negligence from management regarding the safety of their workers,” he added, mourning the loss of his colleagues.
He lamented the emotional toll on families who lost loved ones seeking to provide for their households. “Our eyes are filled with tears as we remember our loved ones, including fathers, engineers, and other professionals who left home to work but did not return,” he said. “We demand accountability to prevent such tragedies from happening again.”
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo confirmed the recovery of one additional body from the Atlantic Ocean, stating on his X account that the NSIB had identified the fourth victim’s remains. The NSIB later released a statement detailing the coordinated efforts to recover the bodies and gather evidence for an ongoing investigation. They noted that East Wind Aviation was in contact to arrange an air ambulance for the transport of the recovered body.
Capt. Alex Badeh, Director General of the NSIB, expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of various agencies involved in the recovery mission. “We remain focused on providing clarity and closure to the families affected by this tragedy,” he assured. The search and recovery process continues as the families await news of their loved ones.
