A helicopter carrying seven tourists crashed Wednesday in Kenya’s Samburu County, north of the capital, Nairobi, killing all those on board, an aviation source told AFP.
According to KCAA, the aircraft was from Loisaba, heading to Ewasonyiro when the accident occurred at approximately 0913 hrs local time.
“KCAA is coordinating with the relevant agencies and stakeholders in response to the accident. The Ministry of Roads and Transport, Air Accident Investigation Department is leading investigations on circumstances surrounding the accident,” said the Authority.
A subsequent police report confirmed that the light aircraft, known as Lady Lorry, was flying from Soyian-Laikipia to Loisaba Conservancy before crashing.
All 7 occupants, named Josh Outran, the pilot, Roger Duarte, Adam Navaty, Stephen Vasconquez, Henry Parra, Michael Contugi and Suian Suarez, died.
On Wednesday morning, Samburu County Police Commander David Nkoroi confirmed that thick smoke was seen rising from the scene as response teams arrived.
According to eyewitnesses at the scene, a large plume of thick black smoke and intense flames could be seen rising from the crash site shortly after the aircraft went down.
The Kenya Red Cross also said that response operations were ongoing, part of a multi-agency team attempting to access the crash site.
