GCAA investigators, medical team deployed to plane crash site in Region Seven

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has activated its Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) after the privately owned Piper aircraft N87619 crashed after takeoff from Arau airstrip, Region Seven earlier today.

Four persons were onboard the aircraft. It was reported that three persons received minor injuries while the injury to the fourth person is considered serious, the GCCA said in a press release.

A Guyana Defence Force (GDF) helicopter was able to locate the crash site almost immediately after private operator Emile Jahan of Hinterland Aviation Inc., who was flying in the vicinity, was able to pinpoint its Global Positioning System (GPS) location.

Army medical personnel accompanied by investigators from the GCAA were dispatched from Ogle to Kaikan, Region Seven to assist the injured passengers. The investigators will remain at the crash site to comb through the wreckage for possible clues as to what led to the crash.

Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn along with key personnel from relevant agencies are being updated continuously at the RCC.

Meanwhile, the four persons were transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) this evening. They were accompanied by Army medical personnel who had travelled to the crash site to aid in the rescue operation. The Guyanese men are Ivor Williams, Troy Daniels, Leon Bristol and Bernard Singh – the pilot. It is reported that Williams is seriously injured.