A tragic helicopter crash in Samburu County on Wednesday, August 19 has prompted a National mourning in Ecuador state.
The accident left seven people dead, including several international prominent figures. The Eurocopter EC130 crashed near Mount Ololokwe in a remote area that was difficult for rescuers to access.
The Eurocopter EC130 B4, operated by local aviation company Lady Lori, was carrying guests for the luxury travel agency &Beyond.
The aircraft went down around 9:13 a.m. local time while en route from Loisaba to Ewaso Nyiro.
Initial ground tracking and expert analysis suggest the helicopter may have impacted a cliffside while attempting to land on the mountainous terrain, triggering an immediate, intense fire that destroyed the aircraft.
Multi-agency rescue teams, led by the Kenya Red Cross, faced severe delays retrieving the bodies due to an active forest fire and the rugged, inaccessible nature of the foothills.
Specialists were forced to use drones during the recovery operation.
Among those killed were Ecuadorian intelligence official, Sinsi Contugi.
Sensi was the National Intelligence Centre Director General, and died alongside his wife.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has consequently declared three days of national mourning from August 20 to 22 following the unfortunate deaths.
The mourning period was formalised through Executive Decree No. 476, with Ecuador’s national flag ordered to fly at half mast at civilian and military public buildings across the country.
A state funeral is also expected for the intelligence chief.
Details Of the 7 Victims
The Victims of the Crash were;
- Josh Outram: He was a Kenyan and was the pilot. He was a highly experienced, fourth-generation Kenyan aviator and the founder of Africa Heli Adventures.
- José Alberto Suárez: A prominent American television executive. He served as the president and general manager of multiple Telemundo stations in South Florida and Central Florida.
- Roger Edward Duarte: A well-known 39-year-old Miami businessman and restaurateur. He was the founder of George Stone Crab and was once featured in Forbes’ 30 Under 30.
- Michele Sensi-Contugi Ycaza: The Director General of Ecuador’s National Intelligence Center.
- Stephany Maria Hollihan Vásconez (also referred to as Stephany Sensi): A fashion designer and the wife of Michele Sensi-Contugi.
- Henry Parra: A tourist from South Florida who was traveling alongside his spouse. Adam Hlavaty (referred to in police manifests as Adam Navaty): A tourist from South Florida and husband to Henry Parra.
- Adam Hlavaty, an American.
