Helicopter pilot dies after crash landing
A HELICOPTER pilot died after his chopper crashed on Nomzamo High School grounds in Lwandle, Strand yesterday.
According to ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring, “paramedics assessed the lone occupant and found that one man had sustained numerous injuries and showed no signs of life. Unfortunately, nothing more could be done and the man was declared dead by metro services.”
Police, firefighters and traffic officials were among those on the scene.
Provincial traffic chief Kenny Africa said the N2 was closed off between Onverwacht and Gordon’s Bay due to the crash and an alternative route was used. Nosisa Majeke, 35, who lives near the school, said: “I was outside washing clothes and the helicopter had been circling for a while.
“All of a sudden it sounded close by. When I looked up I saw it rotating and coming down fast towards the school. The helicopter crashed into power cables, kept on rotating and crash-landed on an open field at the backyard of the school.”
Majeke said she rushed to the scene to see if anyone survived, but all she could see was body parts scattered everywhere.
A teacher at the high school said: “At about 12, we had a meeting discussing the matric ball, which we will have tonight (yesterday).
“As we were talking the electricity went off and (I) heard a big bang that sounded like a bus on full speed crashing into a wall. We were all frightened and ran outside. We saw smoke coming from the backyard of the school and on our arrival a small part of the school grass was on fire and we saw the gruesome accident. There was nothing we could do, as we saw there was no sign of life.
“There was really nothing left from the helicopter and it crashed 10m from the school buildings and luckily the pupils were all at home, they did not see this.”
The teachers said they were told the pilot had hired the helicopter.
Police said the Civil Aviation Authority will investigate the crash.