Identities of Durban helicopter crash victims released Updated
Nushera Soodyal
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Police have released the identities of the two men who killed in a helicopter crash in Durban this week.
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The chopper crashed into the Umgeni River near the N2 on Monday morning.
The victims had to be extricated from the wreckage, which was found submerged in the water.
The two victims are 24-year-old Derek Fitzgerald, who was the pilot, and Richard Morgan, who was a student pilot.
Both men are from Durban.
Their families, friends and colleagues have been paying tribute to them.
Northwood School in Durban North says in a Facebook post that it s devastated by Fitzgerald s passing. He completed matric there in 2014.
CAA: Investigation team dispatched to helicopter crash site Updated
Algoa FM
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The Civil Aviation Authority says an investigation team has been sent to the scene of this morning s helicopter crash in Durban.
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The chopper, which belonged to the Starlite Aviation Group, crashed into the Umgeni River - killing both the pilot and co-pilot.
Emergency services say they found the aircraft fully submerged in the water.
CAA spokesperson, Kabelo Ledwaba says the accident involved a Robinson R22 helicopter. At this stage, there are no further details to share pertaining to this accident. A preliminary report will be issued within 30 days.
Updated
Nothando Mkhize
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Both the pilot and co-pilot were declared dead at the scene.
According to eyewitnesses, there was smoke coming from the chopper and it kept spinning before crashing.
They say the pilot was trying to avoid landing on the freeway and also avoided landing in the water.
The helicopter landed in a bushy area close to the river. Both have been pulled out of the wreckage.
It s still unclear what the cause of the crash was. More details are expected to emerge after the aviation group conducts its investigation