–President Ali declares tomorrow a Day of Prayer and Reflection
–Investigation into fatal crash to be conducted

AFTER two days of battling extreme weather conditions, the uncertainties of unexplored forest, and mountainous terrain, the two survivors of the ill-fated Bell 412 Guyana Defence Force (GDF) helicopter were on Friday afternoon extracted from the crash site and brought to Georgetown for further medical attention.

The duo, Lieutenant Andio Crawford and Corporal Dwayne Jackson, was among seven passengers onboard the army helicopter when it crashed on Wednesday.

The remains of the five long-standing servicemen who perished: Brigadier Gary Beaton- Project Engineer, GOG; Colonel Michael Shahoud, Commander of 1st Infantry Battalion; Lt. Col. Michael Charles, Pilot; Lt. Col. Sean Welcome, Commanding Officer Reserve Battalion; and Staff Sergeant Jason Khan of 31 Special Forces Squadron, were also brought to Georgetown on Friday.

The seven-man team was on a mission to visit troops stationed on the ground at the country’s western border.

During the past few weeks, military presence had been multiplied at that location due to Venezuela’s escalated aggression in the ongoing border controversy with Guyana.

The surviving soldiers arrived at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, at Ogle, where they were received by family members; President Dr. Irfaan Ali; former Army Chief, Prime Minister Brigadier (Red’t) Mark Phillips; and GDF Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Omar Khan.

After a brief interaction with the welcome party, they were transported to ambulances strategically parked a few steps from the plane in which they’d arrived.

The extent of the men’s injuries is unknown.

Shortly after they left the airport for a location where they would receive medical care, the remains of those who perished arrived in a GDF Skyvan.

In one last flight over the horizon, the remains of the fallen soldiers landed on the airstrip to the salute stance of several members of the army, government officials and members of Guyana’s aviation sector.

Sorrowful moans and cries filled the air, as grieving relatives, friends and comrades looked on.

Fellow army men and women were seen fighting back their tears, braving the tragedy with military stoicism, and watching on as the remains of their colleagues were removed from the aircraft.

The servicemen’s caskets were covered in the Golden Arrowhead, Guyana’s national flag, in a show of respect and gratitude for their selfless service and sacrifice.

President Ali, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, openly wiped away tears.

In a gesture that could only be described as immense pain and sorrow, the Head of State raised his head to the skies as military pallbearers slowly marched with the caskets of the servicemen to the waiting hearses.
In brief comments to reporters, the Army Chief told reporters that an investigation into the circumstances of the crash will be conducted, and that among stakeholders that will be involved in the process is the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCCA).

“It has to do with the involvement of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, so we will have some word on that soon. It’s an investigation to be conducted,” Brigadier Khan said.

TIRELESS SEARCH EFFORTS

Search efforts for the aircraft and the men on board had begun shortly after an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) was received on Wednesday.

At a news conference hours later, Brigadier Khan told reporters that the device at reference could be triggered by an impact or manually.

A Skyvan and members of Special Forces were deployed in the search. Initially, it was hoped that troops who were a part of the operation would descend into the heavily forested area to intensify the search for the missing men and their plane.

However, thick fog and other elements of nature narrowed this option. The area where the aircraft was located is heavily forested and mountainous. The search was called off when night fell, but it was resumed the following morning. Additional resources and manpower were also deployed.

The GDF, in a statement on Thursday, disclosed that a Special Forces team had been inserted into the area, having arrived at the crash site at approximately 14:30 hrs after battling adverse weather conditions. It was later reported that only two survivors were found at the site.

The exercise continued on Friday to extract the survivors, and those who had died from the area.
Across the country, messages of condolences and sympathy have been pouring in. Many have taken to Social Media to pay tribute to the men, and to express condolences to their relatives, friends and colleagues.

A Day of Prayer and Reflection will be held tomorrow, and all flags will be flown at half-mast until further notice.