Four technicians, police officer die in Rand Airport crash
The South African Police Service reveals the names of officers involved in the fatal Rand Airport plane crash.
Police management on Wednesday conveyed condolences to the families and friends of the police officer and four others killed when a police fixed-wing aircraft crashed at Rand Airport on Tuesday afternoon.
Five people were killed, including one officer, and a police pilot was critically injured when the Pilatus PC-6 Porter crashed shortly after takeoff.
Police spokesperson Col Athlenda Mathe said four passengers were technicians from a company contracted to service and maintain police helicopters.
#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
“Warrant Officer Willem Erasmus, an airborne law enforcement officer with 29 years’ service, was among those who died at the scene,” Mathe said.
“As an airborne law enforcement officer (ALEO) the member was responsible for providing air support during crime prevention as well as Search and Rescue(SAR) operations.”
“The sole survivor of the crash, a senior pilot with 16 years of service, Captain Casper Swanepoel sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving medical care in hospital,” said Mathe.
Police management met with the families of the two SAPS members and the representatives of the company that employed the four deceased technicians.
Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili has sent condolences on behalf of the SAPS to all affected families and wished the pilot a speedy recovery.
“ This tragedy happens on the eve of the SAPS annual National Commemoration Day as we prepare to honour 33 police officers and reservists who died in the line of duty in the 2021/2022 financial year. 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”, said Lt Gen Mosikili.
Mathe said the police had established a board of inquiry to investigate the cause of the accident.
An inquest docket has also been opened at Germiston SAPS to determine the cause of death of the five who died in the crash.
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