Police helicopter crashes in Meru

A police helicopter crashed at Kithoka area in Meru on Saturday morning.

The cause of the early morning accident is yet to be established.

“The two pilots and four passengers aboard the ill fated aircraft are receiving medical attention at Meru Level V Hospital,” the National Police Service said on Twitter.

They are Lydia Ligami (Regional Police Commander); Jonah Kirui (Regional DCI); Gilbert Magut (Regional NIS Coordinator) and Isaiah Mukoru (Eastern Regional Coordinator).

According to a police report, Ligami is said to have complained of body pain but had no physical injuries while Kirui sustained a slight injury on the elbow.

Magut suffered head injuries and Mukoru had injuries on the head, neck and chest.

The pilot, Inspector Peter Kemboi, escaped with no injuries but his co-pilot Inspector Jacinta Akorot had a slight injury on the right leg.

“The scene has been secured and documented by DCI awaiting further investigation into the accident,” the police report adds.

As at the time of publishing this article, an aircraft had been dispatched to airlift them to Nairobi for further treatment.

The Agusta Westland AW119 helicopter with registration 5Y-NPW crashed at around 7.30am while enroute to Marsabit for a peace mission.

Susan Kananu, a resident of Ciomburu village, reported the accident after the chopper landed in her compound.

She called the area Assistant Chief Judy Kathambi who then informed officers at the Meru Police Station.