A helicopter crash in California's Mojave Desert on Friday night killed six people, including a bank CEO, ABC7 reported.
Herbert WigweAmong those killed when the helicopter crashed into the desert shortly after 10pm were the CEO of one of Nigeria's largest banks and former chairman of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Bamoibun Abimbola. Ogunbanjo was also included. ABC7.
Michael Graham of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed this at a press conference. Press conference Six people died in the accident on Saturday night. (Related: Police say there are no survivors in Alabama highway helicopter crash)
A helicopter carrying six people crashed overnight near Baker in San Bernardino County, and authorities say they have not found any survivors. https://t.co/smbWld8TXT pic.twitter.com/ban5aUOIMa
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) February 10, 2024
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said the crash occurred near the California-Nevada border, about 130 miles from Las Vegas, ABC7 reported.
According to ABC7, the Federal Aviation Administration has confirmed that six people were on board the Eurocopter EC130 when it crashed and is investigating the accident with the NTSB.
The NTSB did not have any information about the pilot or safety pilot, and noted that the helicopter was not equipped with a cockpit voice recorder or flight data recorder, according to a press conference.
Many Nigerians were shocked by Wigwe's death, as Wigwe, 57, was a recognized leader in Nigeria's banking industry, ABC7 reported.
The helicopter was on a charter flight from Palm Springs Airport to Boulder City, Nevada, about 42 miles southeast of Sunday's Super Bowl III venue in Las Vegas, ABC7 reported.
In a press conference, the NTSB said many people who were driving on the highway near the crash witnessed the tragedy and called on safety organizations to contact them with photos, videos and other details.
“This is the beginning of a long process. We're not jumping to conclusions,” said Graham, the NTSB official.
The crash comes on the heels of another tragedy last Tuesday, when five U.S. Marines were killed in a helicopter crash in the mountains outside San Diego, ABC7 reported.
