The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has confirmed the recovery of a fourth body following the ditching incident involving a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registration 5N BQG, operated by East Wind Aviation. This development occurred as part of ongoing search and recovery efforts after the helicopter went down.
According to NSIB, at approximately 4:00 PM, a floating body was retrieved from the water by a Fast Rescue Craft (FRC) and subsequently escorted by the Cameroonian Navy to NUIMS Antan for safe transit through their territorial waters.
Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at NSIB, stated that by 6:44 PM, field operations confirmed the identity of the body based on a T-shirt description provided earlier.
“By 6:50 PM, East Wind Aviation was contacted to arrange for an air ambulance to transport the body the following morning, with the company actively coordinating these efforts. By 7:05 PM, Antan Security informed the Port Harcourt Marine Police to prepare for receiving the body from the air ambulance,” Oladeji added.
The NSIB is working closely with a joint search, rescue, and recovery team, alongside various supporting agencies, to ensure a thorough recovery process and to gather critical evidence to assist with the ongoing investigation into the incident.