Sad end for Peter Bello, co-pilot of crashed chopper who joined Bristow only last year

Peter Bello, co-pilot of the helicopter that crashed in the Oworonshoki area of Lagos on Wednesday, joined Bristow Helicopters in 2014.

He had departed an oil rig in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, with the hope of landing in Lagos around 3:35am – as the flight schedule revealed – but sadly the aircraft ended in the lagoon about five minutes before the landing time.

The body of the deceased was recovered on Thursday, alongside that of Joseph Wyatt, the pilot of the ill-fated aircraft, after several hours of search.

In a statement released on Thursday, Duncan Moore, Bristow’s regional director in Africa, said Bello joined the company’s flight school in 2014.

The statement added that Wyatt, a US citizen, joined Bristow in 2006 and has spent his entire career out of Africa, flying with the company.

Bristow expressed sadness over the development, disclosing that it has established a dedicated hotline for family members of those on board the flight.

“We are saddened by this tragic accident. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families, friends and loved ones of all those on board,” the statement read.

​“Bristow has mobilised the full resources of its response team and is working closely with authorities on the investigation, including at the accident site to recover the aircraft.

“Medical treatment is being provided to those who are injured and trained coordinators have been assigned to the families of the crew members and passengers to support them with their every need and ensure that they receive the most current information and assistance.”

Six people were rescued alive and are responding to treatment at the St. Nicholas Hospital in Lagos Island, while the remains of the other six have been deposited at the morgue of Mainland Hospital.