TCI Police Update: Aircraft Crash
#TurksandCaicos, December 23, 2017 – Providenciales – At about 5:33pm on Saturday 23rd December 2017 a report was received of an aircraft crash near to the Smithco Petrol Station in Industrial Drive Providenciales. Upon the arrival of the emergency services (Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, Fire Service and Emergency Medical Services) it was confirmed that a light aircraft had crashed at that location. As a result of the crash, the two persons on board suffered fatal injuries.
The TCI CAA Air Crash Manager attended the location and is working with Officers from the RT&CIPF to secure the scene and commence the investigation. The UK Aircraft Accident Investigation Board has been notified of the crash.
Acting Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting said: "I can confirm that a light aircraft crashed this afternoon, soon after 5:30pm near to the Smithco Petrol Station in Industrial Drive after taking off from Providenciales Airport. Tragically, the two persons on board have been killed in the crash. Work is underway to identify the next of kin of those who have died, so no further details will be released at this time. My thoughts and those of my officers, are with the families of those involved. An investigation into the circumstances of this tragic incident are underway and I would ask people not to speculate as to the cause. I am aware that footage of the crashed aircraft is being circulated and I would ask that persons refrain from sharing images and video but instead make them available to the Police as part of the investigation.
I wish also to pay tribute to all of the members of the emergency services who attended the incident. The scene of the crash was challenging and upsetting but all the services worked together to do all they could for those on board the aircraft. Incidents such as this are a stark reminder of the difficult and challenging work that the emergency services undertake in the service of the communities on the Turks and Caicos Islands."
Press Release: RTCIPF
Small plane crashes near SmithCo. on Providenciales, TCI
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