Helicopter That Crashed in Lake Nakuru Recovered

Divers from the Kenya Navy have recovered the helicopter which crashed into Lake Nakuru after searching for more than three weeks.

The helicopter was involved in the fatal crash few minutes after take-off from Jarika Hotel on October 21 morning with five people on board.

The five, who were in the ill-fated chopper owned and operated by Flex Air Charters, included Apollo Malowa (pilot), Veronica Muthoni, Sam Gitau, John Mapozi and Anthony Kipyegon.

Bodies of the pilot and Mr Kipyegon were recovered in the first week of the search to the relief of family members who had camped at the Lake Nakuru National Park.

[caption caption="Part of the chopper that crashed in Lake Nakuru"][/caption]

Experts from various fields conducted the intense search together with professional divers drawn from the Kenya Navy.

Due to the intensity and obstacles in the search, the Kenya Rescue Divers and Kenya Life Savers were called in after the operation was unsuccessful for the past 28 days.

The search has now been extended to the Southern part of the lake and it shall cover a larger circumference of the lake gradually.

Two magnetometers and sonar from Kenya Navy also stated that they had only covered a quarter of the lake that translates to only 20 square kilometers.

Lake Nakuru is approximately 54 square kilometers after flooding was witnessed during heavy rains in 2012.

[caption caption="Police helping during the recovery operation"][/caption]

The discovery of the helicopter is a sigh of relief for families and friends of the three victims who have been missing following the crash.

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