GDF helicopter crash: Survivors facing no ‘major injuries’

The two surviving Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldiers from Wednesday’s crash involving an army helicopter are in “good general condition” and not suffering from any major injuries.

This is according to GDF’s Medical Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Nigel Langhorne who spoke at a GDF press conference on Saturday at Base Camp Ayanganna in Georgetown.

The two survivors are Corporal Dwayne Jackson and Lieutenant Andio Crawford. They were extracted from the crash site and flown back to Georgetown on Friday.

“…They are all in good general condition.

“They’re all in good spirits, their families are alongside them,” the Lieutenant Colonel said.

Additionally, the GDF Chief of Staff Brigadier Omar Khan said the priority focus was guaranteeing that these men were treated for any injuries. They have not yet been interviewed about what transpired, explaining that they will be questioned on the possible cause during the probe.

Those soldiers were examined by medical personnel on the ground and by personnel from the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The rescue team located the site on Thursday about nine miles south-east of “Blake Slater’s” airstrip, Ekereku Top, Cuyuni River and then confirmed that five crew members perished in the accident.

They are Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, Colonel Michael Shahoud, Retired Brigadier Gary Beaton, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome and Staff Sergeant Jason Khan.

The army helicopter reportedly lost signal 30 miles from the border with Venezuela.

Since the discovery was made, strenuous efforts were made to extract the survivors and the bodies of the dead services from the site. However, this was affected by bad weather conditions. Priority was given to the survivors.