SOUTH African Civil Aviation Authority and insurance assessors today returned to the scene of the helicopter crash which claimed the lives of four South Coast men on Wednesday.

Recovery operators worked for most of yesterday (Thursday) trying to recover the remains of Braam Swanepoel (50) from Gladiator Security, his son, also Braam (24), Gordon Gray (40) and Theo Roos (38).

Mr Roos and his wife Antya used to own the Steers franchise in Margate and had recently bought the Flight Deck restaurant at Margate airport, from where he also operated a charter company.

Gordon Gray owned a business in Kokstad and had a hangar at Margate airport.

According to reports, Mr Roos and his passengers were brought back to Margate Airport on Wednesday after his small aircraft experienced a puncture in the Transkei.

After sourcing a replacement wheel, Mr Swanepoel Snr is believed to have offered to take Mr Roos and the wheel back to the aircraft, using his helicopter. The chopper took off just after 2pm.

Mr Swanepoel Snr was reportedly flying over the gorge when when the chopper experienced difficulty and plunged into a ravine near Port St Johns.

Authorities were alerted after a nearby cottage owner reportedly saw the chopper crash.

A source who assisted with the recovery but asked to remain anonymous, said he didn’t want to speculate as to what had transpired, but was waiting to speak to a man who had apparently witnessed the crash while guarding a vulture deck near the crash site.

Pilots, in their own private capacity, are believed to have flown to the scene to try find answers as to what could have caused the crash.

To lose three pilots from one airport was very sad. There are lots of questions that can’t be answered at this stage, – Ilse Venter,  committee member,  Margate Light Plane Club.

According to a report in The Mercury, Ashok Munilal, director of Eastern Cape EMS spokesman said two units had been dispatched on Wednesday afternoon.

“However, the weather was bad, wind was gusting at about 30 knots and it was dark so we couldn’t dispatch helicopters or rescue personnel,” he said.

The teams arrived at the crash site by helicopter on Thursday morning at 7.30am, but strong winds delayed operations and they were only able to start the operation later that morning.

This was a joint operation involving the Eastern Cape Emergency Medical Services, the Eastern Cape SAPS and a private helicopter.

Police spokesman Captain Mduduzi Godlwana from Lusikisiki said police had opened an inquest docket.

Condolences  pour in after the deaths of four well-known South Coasters.

It is with so much sadness that we endure the pain of the tragic loss of our friend Braam Swanepoel and his son Braam in the horrific helicopter accident that happened on the KZN South Coast yesterday It claimed the lives of four wonderful men and our condolences and prayers go out to all the families. Braam and I walked a long road together since the start of his Gladiator security and having seen it grow steadily each year and to share his successes was special. As a business neighbour and friend we will miss him terribly. Our community is poorer for this tragedy. RIP. – Pat and Estelle Symcox.

Vanoggend skrik ek hier wakker nadat ek Di radio gehoor het ek gedink dit was ‘n droom en jy was langs my Braam Swanepoel. Maar toe ek kyk was jy nie hier nie. Ek kan ni vir jo beskryf hoe mis ek jo ni. Jy is my alles en kani glo jy is ni meer hier ni. Darem weet ek nou jy is by ons hemelese vader, op sy regte kant en ek sien hoe gelukkige jy is daar my liefie. Sonder enige pyn of seer… Maar onthou eks so so baie lief vir jo – Gereen Swanepoel – wife of Braam jr,  on Facebook.

I’m changing my profile picture in honor of Theo Antya Roos an amazing husband, father and friend. A friend that had a heart of gold, loving and caring. We’ll always remember the fun times together. Forever in our hearts – Chantelle Maree, on Facebook.

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