US pilot among dead in Nigerian helicopter crash: company
Captain Jay Wyatt, from the US state of Oklahoma, led a two-man crew, both of whom died
LAGOS (AFP) - An American pilot was among the six people killed when a helicopter crashed into a lagoon in Nigeria s financial capital Lagos, the US-based operator Bristow said on Thursday.
Captain Jay Wyatt, from the US state of Oklahoma, led a two-man crew, both of whom perished when the twin-engine Sikorsky 76C+ plunged into water north of the city as it was heading back from an oil rig on Wednesday.
Four passengers and First Officer Peter Bello, of Nigeria, were also killed in the accident, the Bristow Group said in a statement.
Texas-based Bristow s fleet of around 500 helicopters services the global energy industry.
It has operations in Nigeria and most other major regions of the world producing offshore oil and gas.
Wyatt had been flying with Bristow in Africa since 2006 while Bello joined in 2014, the company said in a statement describing the pair as "experienced and qualified".
"We are shaken and deeply saddened by this tragic accident," said Bristow Africa director Duncan Moore.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families, friends and loved ones of all those on board."
The nationalities of the passengers have not been revealed, although the Vanguard national daily named the six survivors of the crash as Nigerians.
