Cupe Coy: --- A helicopter that is attached to the Heineken Regatta went down in the Cupe Coy area just after 11am. While some of the information that is being received right now is conflicting. It is understood that male person and two women and the pilot on board where he was conducting a cruise. While other information states that the helicopter in fact is attached to the Heineken Regatta. This media house also understands the helicopter took off from the L'Esperance airport in Grand Case and they were filming a yacht when the it began encountering engine problems.
It is understood that the four occupants who was on board the aircraft at the time it went down was rescued by some sailors that was passing in the area. Three occupants who are said to be VIP have escaped unharmed. It is also understood that the aircraft encountered some engine problems and the pilot chose to land the in the water, parts of the helicopter caught fire after it landed. The aircraft stayed afloat after the landing.
Members of the rescue operations from the coast guard safely towed the aircraft away. Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said that when police received the call several patrols were dispatched to the scene to investigate. Henson said that according to eyewitnesses the helicopter began encountering engine problems and the pilot had no other choice but to land in the water. He said shortly after the landing a wave came and over turned the helicopter. The pilot and the passengers immediately abandoned the aircraft and were rescued by persons who were in a dingy.
The victims were taken to Mullet Bay beach where they received medical attention from the ambulance team. The helicopter in question is a type Bell 206. N-83086 which was on an island tour when it went down, Henson said the pilot who has been identified as N.J.B is said to be very experienced, also on board was two female passengers from the United States.
The helicopter drifted ashore in the Cupe Coy area and would be taken a location where the aviation investigators would conduct their investigation to determine the cause of the incident.