A helicopter that went missing during a law enforcement investigation on Monday has been located, with all four occupants found safe after spending the night in Kruger National Park’s remote bush area in Mpumalanga.
The group, comprising a pilot, two South African Police Service (SAPS) investigators, and an environmental crime investigator, had landed safely but became disoriented in dense bush and were unable to find the aircraft again.
They remained in the area overnight until they were spotted on Tuesday morning by a search team and rescued using a SANPARKS helicopter.
All occupants have been confirmed to be in good condition.
‘Bush kept chopper stuck’
Providing details, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli said it is the bush that kept the chopper stuck.
“The chopper disappeared on Monday, during an investigation after a report was brought to the attention of law enforcers that there was a carcass that was discovered, hence the probe to find out the circumstances thereof.”
The aircraft, which was on a routine operation, had on board a pilot and two SAPS investigators as well as an environmental crime investigator.
Efforts to establish communication with the helicopter crew yielded no results due to poor signal and it is suspected that the chopper could have been flying low. All attempts to reach them via their cellphones and other means were unsuccessful.
Intensive overnight search
In response to the situation, another helicopter equipped with night vision capabilities, alongside drones, was swiftly deployed to assist in the search efforts.
However, due to poor weather conditions, the helicopter had to be withdrawn however, the drones continued their search throughout the night.
Communication with the crew was lost during the operation, triggering a coordinated search effort involving aerial support and drones.
ALSO READ: Pilot survives firefighting helicopter crash in Western Cape
- A helicopter with four occupants went missing during a law enforcement investigation in Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga, but was found safe the next day.
- The group consisted of a pilot, two South African Police Service investigators, and an environmental crime investigator who got lost after landing safely in dense bush.
- They spent the night in the remote area and were rescued on Tuesday morning by a SANPARKS helicopter after being spotted by a search team.
- Communication with the helicopter was lost due to poor signal and possibly flying low; intensive search efforts included a night-vision helicopter and drones.
- All occupants were confirmed to be in good condition, and the helicopter had become stuck in the bush during a routine operation investigating a carcass discovery.
A helicopter that went missing during a law enforcement investigation on
All occupants have been confirmed to be in good condition.
"
Efforts to establish communication with the helicopter crew yielded no results due to poor signal and it is suspected that the chopper could have been flying low. All attempts to reach them via their cellphones and other means were unsuccessful.
In response to the situation, another helicopter equipped with night vision capabilities, alongside drones, was swiftly deployed to assist in the search efforts.
However, due to poor weather conditions, the helicopter had to be withdrawn however, the drones continued their search throughout the night.
Communication with the crew was lost during the operation, triggering a coordinated search effort involving aerial support and drones.
ALSO READ: Pilot survives firefighting helicopter crash in Western Cape
