Two people sustained serious injuries after a Kenya Army chopper crashed during takeoff at Wajir Airport on Monday at around midday.
A statement recorded at Wajir Airport Police Station seen by Kenyans.co.ke indicated that the pilot sustained injuries to his shoulder and right hand.
Abey Jimaale, the MCA of Arabajhan Ward who was onboard is also said to have sustained head injuries. The chopper was headed to Arabajhan.
The injured were immediately taken to Wajir County Referral Hospital where they were referred to Nairobi for specialised treatment. At the time, they were in a stable condition.
A KDF chopper that crashed in Wajir on Monday, November 20, 2023.
Photo
courtesy
“The scene was visited by Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), KDF and police officers,” read the police report in part.
“It was documented by scenes of crime personnel and then cordoned off awaiting air accident investigators.”
According to witnesses, the chopper, which was supplying food to flood–affected families in Buna Town, Wajir North, was extensively damaged.
The crash occurred on the same day and in the same county as another incident involving a helicopter en route to collect Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination papers.
In the other crash, a pilot and his two passengers who were headed to Arbajahan sustained injuries.
According to North Eastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno, the 3 were taken to the hospital where they received treatment.
In total, six people sustained injuries from the chopper crashes, all in Wajir County.
The cause of the two crashes was yet to be established even as police launched investigations.
Wreckage of the chopper that crashed in Wajir on Monday.
Photo
Ole Shangai
