Nigerian Bank CEO Killed in California Helicopter Crash

Herbert Wigwe, CEO of Access Bank, was among six people killed when a helicopter crashed in the Mojave Desert in Southern California. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

In a heart-wrenching incident, the CEO of one of Nigeria's prominent banks, Herbert Wigwe, lost his life in a helicopter crash that occurred on Friday in the Mojave Desert, situated in Southern California. The unfortunate event took place shortly after 10 pm, with Wigwe being among the six individuals on board the ill-fated helicopter.

Confirmation of the Tragic Loss

The confirmation of Wigwe's demise came from none other than Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the esteemed director general of the World Trade Organization and former finance minister of Nigeria. Okonjo-Iweala took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share the devastating news.

Details of the Crash

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, the helicopter met its tragic end east of Interstate 15, near Halloran Springs Road. This location is in close proximity to the California-Nevada border and approximately 128.75 kilometres from Las Vegas. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) corroborated the presence of six individuals aboard the ill-fated Eurocopter EC 120 helicopter.

Ongoing Investigations

The FAA, in conjunction with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), has initiated a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. NTSB investigators are expected to arrive on Saturday to commence the process of gathering crucial information. Regrettably, the sheriff's department has not yet discovered any survivors and refrained from providing further details.

Flight Details and Destination

As reported by KABC-TV, the ill-fated helicopter took off from Palm Springs Airport at approximately 8:45 pm. Its intended destination was Boulder City, Nevada, located roughly 41 kilometres southeast of Las Vegas. Notably, Boulder City is set to host the highly anticipated Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday, featuring the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers.

Crash Location and Weather Conditions

The crash site, Halloran Springs Road, intersects Interstate 15 in an area renowned among travellers for its abandoned gas station displaying the peculiar sign, "Lo Gas and Eat." This remote location within the Mojave Desert sits at an elevation of nearly 3,000 feet. Furthermore, logs obtained from the California Highway Patrol indicate the presence of rain and snow in the area at the approximate time of the crash.

Recent Helicopter Crash in San Diego

This tragic incident follows closely on the heels of another helicopter crash involving a US Marine Corps helicopter. On Tuesday, during unprecedented downpours, the helicopter crashed in the mountains outside San Diego, resulting in the loss of five Marine lives.