Tragic Crash in California’s Mojave Desert Claims Lives of Prominent Nigerian Bank CEO and Five Others
A devastating helicopter crash in California’s Mojave Desert has claimed the lives of six individuals, including a prominent Nigerian bank CEO. The incident occurred on Friday evening as the privately chartered aircraft was en route from Palm Springs, California to Boulder City, Nevada. The crash occurred shortly after 10 p.m., tragically resulting in the deaths of both pilots and all four passengers on board.
Transportation safety officials have confirmed that wintry conditions played a role in the accident. The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the crash, with Michael Graham stating that “two crew members and four passengers were onboard and were fatally injured.” The crash site, located east of Baker, California, is approximately a quarter-mile east of Interstate 15 near Halloran Springs Road.
The Nigerian presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, took to social media to share a statement regarding the incident. In the statement, he identified Herbert Wigwe, the chief executive of Access Bank, as one of the crash victims. Onanuga described Wigwe’s death as a “terrible blow” to both Nigeria and Africa’s banking industry. He paid tribute to Wigwe’s “big vision to make Access Holdings Africa’s biggest.”
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director of the World Trade Organization, also expressed her condolences and paid tribute to Wigwe and the other victims in a social media post. She referred to their deaths as a “terrible loss,” highlighting the impact they had on their respective fields and communities.
While it is too early to determine the exact cause of the crash, witnesses reported witnessing rain and wintry conditions at the time. Graham urged witnesses to come forward with any accounts or recordings that could aid investigators. The Airbus EC130 helicopter, operated by Orbic Air and chartered by the passengers, did not have a cockpit voice recorder or a flight data recorder.
This tragic incident follows closely on the heels of another helicopter crash in California. Just a week prior, five Marines lost their lives in a storm-related crash outside San Diego. These incidents serve as a somber reminder of the risks associated with air travel, particularly in adverse weather conditions.
The investigation into the California Mojave Desert helicopter crash is expected to be a lengthy process, with investigators emphasizing the need for patience and thoroughness. The aviation community mourns the loss of these individuals, whose contributions to their fields will be sorely missed. As Nigeria and Africa’s banking industry grapple with the loss of Herbert Wigwe, his legacy and vision will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the region’s financial landscape.
