Warning Graphic Photos: Helicopter crashes, two die
Helicopter crashes in Germiston leaving two dead.
A helicopter crashed this afternoon in Driehoek leaving two people dead.
According to spokesman for the Germiston SAPS, WO André de Jager, the two people in the helicopter, a male and a female died on impact and the Germiston SAPS have opened an inquest docket for investigation.
Eyewitnesses told the GCN that they heard the helicopter and it sounded as if it was backfiring.
A risk manager at Imperial Retail Logistics, who does not wish to be named, said: “As I walked downstairs I heard the helicopter and it sounded like it was backfiring.
“I looked up and it came straight down nose first.
“When it hit the ground it burst into flames.”
The risk manager immediately mobilised the company’s fire team members who rushed to the scene to try and combat the blaze until emergency services arrived.
“We used about 10 fire extinguishers to try and stop the burning,” he said.
Ekurhuleni Emergency Services and paramedics from various organisations rushed to the scene.
“Exact details as to the cause of the crash and preceding events are still unclear and will remain the subject of a SA Civil Aviation Authority investigation,” said Santi Steinmann, media liaison officer from Netcare Limited.
“Paramedics and other services arrived on scene and found the remains of the burnt-out helicopter, tragically both people in the helicopter were already dead prior to the arrival of the paramedics.”
The GCN was able to reach Andre Coetzee, CEO of Henley Air, based at Rand Airport, the operators of the helicopter.
“Details of what exactly happened are very sketchy at this time,” he said.
“It is currently under investigation by the Civil Aviation Authority.
“We do know that the helicopter was a vehicle tracking helicopter, coming back from Pretoria.”
The GCN contacted the SA Civil Aviation Authority for comment on the matter but were told that the Department of Transport needs to comment on the crash.
All attempts to contact them have failed so far.
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