Search for bodies of pilot, baby EJ called off
The search for the bodies of helicopter pilot Gilbert Parker and two-year-old Epeli Jeremaia (EJ) at Natewa Bay in Vanua Levu has been called off.
The decision was made yesterday after 13-days of searching for the white Robinson 44 helicopter registered DQ-HPT along the Natewa Bay coastline and sea area.
The helicopter bound from Naitauba Island on a mercy flight to Labasa Hospital crashed on August 2.
The body of Taraivosa Kaci Moceisuva was found a day after. Her
son EJ and Mr Parker’s bodies are now believed to be lost to the sea forever.
Toga Kalougata, Taraivosa’s husband and father to EJ, said he was content with the final resting place for his son.
“EJ’s final resting place has been decided by God,” Mr Kalougata said.
“I know that he has been accepted into heaven and one day with God showing us the way, we will meet again.”
Aviation Investigator Andrew McGregor said it had been a constant battle with nature and the unpredictable conditions of Natewa Bay. He said it seemed the helicopter broke into smaller pieces and possibly carried by the strong current. The strong currents in Natewa Bay had also made it hard for the search teams to drop their high tech equipment into the sea as well. Divers who have been going down also told of strong currents that would push them from the original position they started from. More than 100 personnel from the Fiji Police Force, Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Republic of Fiji Military Forces Naval Division and civilians have been part of the search.
More than 30 pieces of evidence which included fragmented pieces of the helicopter have been collected. This will now be used in the investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
Mr McGregor said it would be some time before they would be able to release a report regarding their findings if any.
Edited by Percy Kean