The missing helicopter
A search has been launched after a helicopter went missing inside the Kruger National Park with four occupants on board.
According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, the chopper disappeared on Monday, April 6, during an investigation.
The operation followed a report brought to the attention of law enforcement about a carcass that had been discovered, prompting a probe to determine the circumstances.
“The aircraft, which was on this routine operation, had on board a pilot, two SAPS investigators, as well as an Environmental Crime Investigator. A report indicates that the team departed in the morning around 09:00 and did not return as anticipated,” he said.
“Some efforts to establish communication with the helicopter crew yielded no results due to poor signal, and it is suspected that the chopper could have been flying low. All attempts to reach them via their mobile phones and other means were unsuccessful. It was only in the evening that it was realised that something was wrong, prompting immediate action to locate them,” Mdhluli added.
He further stated that, in response to the situation, another helicopter equipped with night-vision capabilities, alongside drones, was swiftly deployed to assist in the search efforts.
However, due to poor weather conditions, the helicopter had to be withdrawn, while the drones continued searching throughout the night.
