An eyewitness has recounted how locals attempted to rescue victims of the chopper crash that claimed the lives of General Francis Ogolla and other nine military officials.
Speaking on the incident to a local media station, Bernard Kipkorir revealed that there were several flight activities in the area during the afternoon on Thursday, April 18.
However, minutes past 2 pm, they heard a loud bang with some of the residents making their way to the area to find out what was going on.
According to Kipkorir, some of the onlookers were able to help in the rescue efforts for the victims of the crash.
He noted that three people were alive at the time the rescue efforts had started. They were then rushed to a neighbouring mission hospital to receive treatment.
"Most of the choppers were in the air, busy with their routine activities. At around 2 pm we just heard a loud bang.
"When we rushed to the scene were able to rescue three people who were onboard the aircraft and we rushed them to a mission hospital where they got emergency treatment before they were airlifted," he stated.
On the other hand, West Pokot County Commissioner (CC) Abdulahi Khalif noted that the area was cordoned off after it was established that the crash involved a KDF chopper.
He noted that KDF officials, who were present at the scene, used a drone to inspect the scene to establish whether the bandits were in the area and may have brought the chopper down.
"KDF officials on the ground were using a drone to establish what had transpired at the scene," he stated during an interview with NTV.
Ogolla was in the area to inspect the ongoing construction of schools that were closed after bandit attacks.
While the cause of the accident is yet to be established, a team of experts from the Kenya Airforce have been picked to establish what may have caused it.
The bodies of those involved in the crash were airlifted to Nairobi on Thursday night.
Meanwhile, President William Ruto has announced a three-day mourning in honour of the KDF officers.
