Father & Son Die in Tsavo Plane Crash

Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Light Aircraft
A light aircraft belonging to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
Twitter/Sheldrick Wildlife

Two people died on Thursday, December 8, in a plane crash at Tsavo National Park.

Reports indicated that the two, a father and son, died on the spot. Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) confirmed the incident.

In a statement seen by Kenyans.co.ke, KWS corporate communications affirmed that the incident occurred in the Kone area along Tiva in Tsavo East National Park at 7.15 am. 

"The plane, a Cessna 185 registration number 5Y-DHS, belonged to David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT), crashed at around 7.15 hours while on patrol in Huri – the northeastern boundary of the park, regrettably instantly killing both occupants on board," read part of the statement. 

A Kenya Wildlife Service officer on duty.
A Kenya Wildlife Service officer on duty.
File

The service affirmed that a team was dispatched to the scene to investigate the circumstances of the crash. 

"KWS wishes to express our deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of the deceased," read part of the statement.

The incident reflects a similar accident on September 21, 2022, after a light aircraft landed at the Nairobi National Park, a few metres off the Southern Bypass. 

However, four passengers on board were rescued from the wreckage, according to Lang'ata OCPD Monica Kimani. 

She later affirmed that the aircraft had developed mechanical problems leading to engine failure.

At the time, an eyewitness intimated to the media that the plane flew dangerously low before it crashed.

"I saw the plane flying at a very low altitude and at first, my passenger and I thought that it was conducting a patrol around the park. As it approached the plane made a sharp turn and overturned, crashing on the ground,"

"Shortly after, three passengers onboard managed to get out of the plane and sat on top of it," the eyewitness stated.

kws choppe
A KWS chopper during an operation at the Tsavo Easy National Park .
KWS
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