PILOT, former rally driver and businessman Jaco van Dyk and his three children yesterday narrowly escaped death in a helicopter crash outside Windhoek.
Van Dyk, who is in a critical condition, was piloting the helicopter, which was so wrecked he had to be cut out.
His children escaped with fractures and were rushed to a hospital in the capital, where Van Dyk is in the intensive care unit.
Captain Oskar Plichta, investigating officer at the Aircraft Accident Investigations department at the Ministry of Works and Transport, confirmed the crash occurred around 11:00 yesterday.
Magnus Abraham, director of this department, yesterday said the pilot sustained severe injuries during the crash.
He said it is a miracle that all four helicopter occupants survived the crash, considering the aircraft wreck.
“However, the pilot is experienced and that could have been to their advantage. I have seasoned investigators to look at the accident scene, considering other components,” Abraham said.
He said Van Dyk had radioed a distress signal.
However, contact was lost with the pilot and the circumstances could not be established.
“The issue could have been mechanical, but we do not know exactly what it was. We are first investigating it and preliminary findings would be provided to the minister. Our immediate action once we reached the crash scene was to bring all the survivors to receive medical assistance,” Abraham said.
Francois Lottering, a motor journalist and friend of Van Dyk’s, described him as a humble family man.
He said he is a ‘legend’ in the motorsport industry.
“He is always available to speak to me whenever I need assistance with my motorsport work. I am grateful he and his children are alive, and I wish them a speedy recovery,” Lottering said
He said Van Dyk’s three children are an important part of his life, and regularly fly with him.
– charmaine@namibian.com.na
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