This archive report was first published on 15 July 2020.
On Monday morning, a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) helicopter crashed at Kanyonga in Kithyoko, Masinga Sub-county, resulting in the deaths of two people.
According to eyewitnesses, one of the victims may have been alive in the moments after the crash but did not receive the necessary help from locals due to COVID-19 fears.
Ms. Ann Kaluki, an eyewitness, stated that she was going about her business on her farm when she saw a plane flying too low. She then turned to her friend and told her that the plane looked like it was going to crash on them, prompting them to run.
Ms. Kaluki recalled, 'I saw a plane falling towards us…my screams attracted a big crowd.'
She noted that the helicopter fell on nearby trees, raising clouds of dust before it crashed. One pilot was still alive and was asking for help, but locals were afraid of COVID-19 and assumed he would infect them, resulting in him not receiving the necessary assistance.
Ms. Kaluki added, 'Those young men came and found him still strapped by his seat belt, but speculation on coronavirus and fear of the plane bursting to flames made them fear.'
Another eyewitness, a young man, stated that he was on his way home when they saw the helicopter nosedive but a tree caught its fall. They rushed to the scene and found one person raising his hand, but they could not assist as they had no idea how to provide first aid.
The scene was later visited by security officials, who established that a helicopter Reg AU003-539 belonging to the Kenyan army crashed at around 1100hrs.
Machakos County commander Karanja Muiruri stated that the incident was reported by the assistant chief Kithyoko Sub-location, Mr. Daniel Muthoka.
He added, 'It had two souls on board (senior military officers of the rank of Major) both of whom died on the spot.'
Commander Muiruri applauded the response by the Kenyan army, stating that they came in record time and evacuated the bodies.
The chopper was one of six aircraft acquired in January from the US.
