Nakuru chopper crash: Waitress’ family learned of kin’s death through social media
By Mercy Kahenda & Sarah Oteno Monday, Oct 23rd 2017 at 09:03
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Veronicah Muthoni
Aircraft investigators who are taking part in the recovery mission said preliminary investigations after analysing parts of the chopper recovered yesterday on the shores of the lake indicated the pilot hit a tree before crashing into the lake.
“From the recovered parts, it is almost clear the pilot hit something before the crash,” said an investigator on condition of anonymity.
Yesterday, the investigators recovered a briefcase belonging to the pilot, a first aid box, ear phones, the plane’s chair, plane’s door, logbook, a pair of shoes and some pieces of the aircraft bearing the writing 5Y.
The bodies of the five on board the ill-fated chopper are yet to be recovered.
It has emerged that a female passenger who was among five hails from Bahati Sub-county. According to a friend, who identified herself as Esther, Veronicah Muthoni is a caterer in a hotel in Nakuru town.
Social media
She said she was shocked to see reports of the chopper crash in the social media.
“I learnt that my friend had been involved in the crash from my Facebook account. I tried to contact her but her phone was not going through,” she said.
Muthoni’s brother, Njuguna Wachira, said the family was still in shock and would respond to questions after the recovery mission was done.
“At this point, we cannot say anything,” he said.
Those who were in the ill-fated helicopter include the pilot Apollo Malowa, Anthony Kipyegon from Rongai, Sam Gitau who resides in Nakuru, John Mapozi from Molo and Muthoni.
The helicopter crashed while the five were conducting an aerial tour of Lake Nakuru very early morning on Saturday after a night out.
By Mercy Kahenda & Sarah Oteno Monday, Oct 23rd 2017 at 09:03
Share this story:
Veronicah Muthoni
- Divers are still combing Lake Nakuru waters in search of five people
- The five are feared dead after their chopper allegedly hit a tree before crashing
- The chopper 5Y-NMJ went down early Saturday morning
Aircraft investigators who are taking part in the recovery mission said preliminary investigations after analysing parts of the chopper recovered yesterday on the shores of the lake indicated the pilot hit a tree before crashing into the lake.
“From the recovered parts, it is almost clear the pilot hit something before the crash,” said an investigator on condition of anonymity.
Yesterday, the investigators recovered a briefcase belonging to the pilot, a first aid box, ear phones, the plane’s chair, plane’s door, logbook, a pair of shoes and some pieces of the aircraft bearing the writing 5Y.
The bodies of the five on board the ill-fated chopper are yet to be recovered.
It has emerged that a female passenger who was among five hails from Bahati Sub-county. According to a friend, who identified herself as Esther, Veronicah Muthoni is a caterer in a hotel in Nakuru town.
Social media
She said she was shocked to see reports of the chopper crash in the social media.
“I learnt that my friend had been involved in the crash from my Facebook account. I tried to contact her but her phone was not going through,” she said.
Muthoni’s brother, Njuguna Wachira, said the family was still in shock and would respond to questions after the recovery mission was done.
“At this point, we cannot say anything,” he said.
Those who were in the ill-fated helicopter include the pilot Apollo Malowa, Anthony Kipyegon from Rongai, Sam Gitau who resides in Nakuru, John Mapozi from Molo and Muthoni.
The helicopter crashed while the five were conducting an aerial tour of Lake Nakuru very early morning on Saturday after a night out.
I don't drink and drive for obvious reasons. Drink and fly is even riskier.
