Surviving GDF officers of helicopter crash to be honoured – Min. Manickchand affirms
Underscoring the commitment and dedication of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) officers, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand reaffirmed that the survivors of the last Wednesday’s helicopter crash will be honoured.
Minister Manickchand made these remarks during the 69th Sitting of the National Assembly stating that, “I think it’s important for all listening to know that the two survivors are being treated as our precious resource and they are going to be honoured in their name.”
She said the government is allowing the survivors to choose how they would like to be honoured.
On Sunday, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali asserted that all those who were on the flight will be rightfully honoured for their diligence and sacrifices for the safety and security of Guyana.
Lieutenant Andio Crawford, as a result of the crash, suffered pneumomediastinum (a minor amount of free air between the lungs), and bruises on his shin. However, Crawford can move unaided and remains fully conscious, oriented, and coherent.
Corporal Dwayne Jackson suffered a broken right 4th rib, pneumonia, and second-degree burns on his buttocks.
The chopper departed Base Camp Ayanganna at 09:23 hours on Wednesday last for Arau, carrying three crew members and four passengers.
At 11:20 hours, the aircraft transmitted an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) approximately 30 miles east of Arau on Guyana’s western borders.
The aircraft landed at Olive Creek to refuel and shortly after its take-off, communication was lost.
The ELT signal was received by the Air Traffic Services at Timehri Control Tower, and the sky van was subsequently prepped for a search and rescue operation, with a team from the Special Forces and the support of an Omni-helicopter.
The team was on a command mission to visit and supply rations to the troops in the border communities of Arau, Eteringbang, and Makapa.