Cape Town – The South African Police Service has established a board of inquiry to investigate the cause of the police aircraft crash that killed five people at the Rand Airport on Tuesday.
Police management has also conveyed condolences to the families and friends of the deceased, the police said in a statement.
Six people, including the four technicians, an airborne law enforcement officer and the police pilot were onboard the Pilatus Porter PC 6 aircraft.
According to police spokesperson, Colonel Athlenda Mathe the airborne law enforcement officer who died in the crash had been in the service for the past 29 years.
“As an airborne law enforcement officer, the member was responsible for providing air support during crime prevention as well as search and rescue operations.
#sapsHQ #SAPS management conveyed its condolences to the families & loved ones of WO Willem Erasmus & those who lost their lives in yesterday’s aircraft crash in Germiston. Capt Casper Swanepoel sustained serious injuries & is currently in hospital. SW https://t.co/wCK60pk24o pic.twitter.com/1lt2btY64F
— SA Police Service ?? (@SAPoliceService) August 31, 2022
“The sole survivor of the crash, a senior pilot with 16 years service, Captain Casper Swanepoel, sustained serious injuries and is receiving medical care in hospital,” said Mathe.
Police management has reportedly met with the families of the two SAPS members and the representatives of the company that employed the deceased technicians.
On behalf of the SAPS, Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili has sent condolences to the affected families and wished the pilot a speedy recovery.
“Let’s allow investigations to unfold to be able to get to the bottom of what led to this tragedy. Our sincerest condolences to the affected families, and we are wishing the pilot a speedy recovery,” the report qouted Mosikili as saying.
Meanwhile a board of inquiry to investigate the cause of the incident has been established while an inquest docket has been opened to determine the cause of death of the five deceased, the report said.
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Picture: Twitter/ @SAPoliceService
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
