The tragic news of the helicopter crash near the California-Nevada border in the United States has brought profound sorrow to many, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
Reports indicate that Herbert Wigwe, the Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, along with his wife, Chizoba, and their son, tragically lost their lives in the crash on Friday night. Also among the victims was Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, along with three other yet-to-be-identified individuals.
The US Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the crash of a Eurocopter EC 130 helicopter, stating that investigations by both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are underway.
Despite the devastating loss, details regarding the victims’ identities were not immediately disclosed. The crashed helicopter was registered to Burbank-based tour company, Orbic Air, which could not be reached for comment.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, in a statement reported by the New York Times, indicated that no survivors had been found as of Saturday morning. The crash site was located east of the 15-Freeway near Halloran Springs Road.
Meanwhile, the absence of Herbert Wigwe was noted at the yearly Lagos Marathon sponsored by Access Bank, an event he has been associated with. The marathon was won by Bernard Sang, a Kenyan athlete.
Access Holdings’ Head of Media Relations, Kunle Aderinokun, has yet to respond to inquiries for confirmation.
Expressing their grief, Atiku Abubakar and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala offered their condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased. Atiku described Wigwe as a consummate banker, education promoter, and philanthropist, while Dr. Okonjo-Iweala expressed her deepest sympathies to the families and the Access Bank Group community.
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian financial sector, with many mourning the loss of Herbert Wigwe, a visionary leader who had plans for significant investments in education and technology sectors through initiatives like Wigwe University.