Clues sought in crash that killed Zimbabwean leader

RATON ( New Mexico): A husband and wife who pushed for political change in Zimbabwe, an adventurous Texas investor and a pair of decorated pilots died in a fiery helicopter crash in a remote area in the US state of New Mexico.

Investigators will comb through the charred wreckage in search of clues as to why the helicopter carrying the group of prominent friends went down after dark on Wednesday.

Friends and family members confirmed yesterday that Zimbabwe opposition leader Roy Bennett and his wife Heather had travelled to New Mexico to spend their holiday with friend and wealthy businessman Charles Burnett III at his ranch.

Burnett’s friends, pilot Jamie Coleman Dodd of Colorado and co-pilot Paul Cobb of Texas, were ferrying the group aboard a Huey UH-1 when it went down.

Despite frigid temperatures that evening, the weather appeared to be clear and the wind was mild as they headed east over a rugged area toward Burnett’s ranch.

The only survivor was 39-yearold Andra Cobb, the co-pilot’s daughter and Burnett’s long-term partner. She was able to escape before the helicopter burst into flames.

The Cobbs and Bennetts had become friends while travelling on cruises.

Bennett, 60, treasurer-general of Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change opposition party, won a devoted following of black Zimbabweans for passionately advocating political change.

Burnett, 61, was an investor and philanthropist with links to a wide range of businesses and a love of entertaining friends extravagantly.

Burnett, 61, was friends with both pilots, according to his personal attorney, Martyn Hill.

Both Dodd and Cobb were experienced aviators who would not have taken unnecessary risks in the helicopter, Hill added.