Helicopter carrying MCA crashes at Wajir Airport during take-off

A helicopter carrying Arabajahan MCA Abey Jimaale crashed at the Wajir Airport runway on Monday while taking off.

Police said the Prime Aviation helicopter registration 5Y-SDL was piloted by Captain Kiroken and Captain James Ndirangu.

Ndirangu sustained shoulder and right-hand injuries while Kiroken sustained head injuries in the noon accident. Abey meanwhile got head injuries.

“They were rushed to Wajir County Referral Hospital where they were treated and referred to Nairobi for further treatment while in stable condition,” a report filed at the Wajir Airport police station reads.

According to the police, the aircraft was extensively damaged and investigations are underway to establish the circumstances of the accident.

The crash happened just hours before a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) helicopter crashed during take-off. The chopper was supplying food items to flood-affected families in Buna Town, Wajir North.

Wajir County Red Cross Coordinator Abdia Manya said several people including the pilots and teachers sustained injuries and were taken to the Buna Sub-county Hospital.