Nigeria’s aviation authorities and Bristow Helicopters have thrown light on the helicopter that crashed into Lagos Lagoon in South-West Nigeria yesterday afternoon. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) identified the crashed helicopter as belonging to Bristow Helicopters with registration number 5N- BDG-760540.

The helicopter, according to NCAA, was en route from one of the nation’s oil rigs before crashing at the Oworonshoki area of Lagos State.

The General Manager of NCAA Public Affairs, Mr. Fan Ndubuoke, said that the ill-fated helicopter was scheduled to arrive Lagos at 3:35pm.

Alhaji Yakubu Dati, Spokesman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed that the helicopter belonged to Bristow, a United States of America firm based in Houston, Texas, that charters helicopters to oil and gas companies. Dati said four people died and eight survived.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said that injured victims of the crash have been taken to the hospital for treatment while the bodies of the ded have been moved to the mortuary.

Bristow said in a statement that it was still working to identify those on board and the extent of any injuries. It said preliminary information indicated the chopper was carrying two crew and eight passengers. The nationalities of those involved weren’t immediately known.

The helicopter, an American-made Sikorsky S-76C+, crashed on approach to Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Bristow said.

•Photo of crashing helicopter courtesy of Channels TV.