BY LAWANI MIKAIRU

Bristow Helicopters Thursday said it has suspended flight operations in Nigeria because of the crash involving one of its aircraft in Lagos on Wednesday.

Making this disclosure, the Consultant for Bristow Helicopters, Mr Cornelius Onuoha said the decision concerning operations will be made on daily basis.

According to him “We have stood down operations at Bristow Helicopters Nigeria as of 8/13/15. Decisions will be made on a daily basis.” On whether the aircraft was too old to fly, he said “No. Bristow is in full compliance with regulatory directives issued for our aircraft. Special maintenance and monitoring programs developed by the aircraft and engine manufacturers, the helicopter operators and the FAA/CAA in recent years have ensured all our aircraft are maintained to optimum standards.

Medical attendants, Gbagada General Hospital moving survivors of the Bristow helicopter crash on a referral to St. Nicholas Hospital in Lagos on Thursday.

When asked if the accident was due to pilot error, Onuaha said, “ it’s much too early to talk about the cause of this incident. It will take weeks or months of investigation to determine why the incident happened. The investigation will be conducted by the AIB, and we will cooperate fully in that investigation. We will not speculate about what may have been the cause, and we encourage others not to speculate. Our pilots are trained to the highest standards in the industry.”

A helicopter belonging to Bristow Helicopters with 12 people on board, Wednesday, crashed into the Lagoon near the Oworonsoki end of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.

According to an eyewitness, the aircraft, marked 5NBGD was said to be coming from one of the oil rigs in the Escravos area of Delta State and was said to be heading to Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja when it went down around 3.p.m.

According to reports, four of those on board were confirmed dead, while six others, who were rescued, were moved to the nearby Gbagada General Hospital and a private hospital.

Two missing bodies were however, recovered Thursday morning, bringing to six the number of casualties in the ill-fated crash.

Vanguard has earlier  reported that  the six survivors are recuperating at St Nicholas Hospital, a private hospital on Lagos Island.

Four of the survivors, all male, were moved Thursday morning after receiving medical attention at the Gbagada General Hospital’s trauma and burns unit.