The group chief executive officer of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe, along with his wife and son, as well as Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), were involved in a tragic helicopter crash near the Nevada border in California, USA, on Friday.
This publication understands that six passengers were onboard. Sadly, no survivors have been found as of press time.
Authorities reported that the Eurocopter EC 130 helicopter crashed near Nipton on the outskirts of the Mojave Desert late Friday evening.
The helicopter crashed in San Bernardino County overnight, with authorities stating they have yet to find any survivors. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department was notified of the downed aircraft near Baker shortly after 10 pm on Friday, this publication learnt.
In a statement, they said, “We are not able to confirm how many people were on board or their names. No survivors have been located.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the crash location near Nipton on the edge of the Mojave Desert Preserve, east of the 15 Freeway near Halloran Springs.
According to NBC, the helicopter is registered to Burbank-based tour company Orbic Air.
The crash comes shortly after a Navy helicopter, transporting five troops, crashed during a routine training flight in Pine Valley, California.
Money kills, poverty kills. My condolences to the families, friends and business partners!