Four rescued Ugandan soldiers safe

By Francis Ngige

The first batch of four Uganda Army officers rescued from the helicopter which crashed in bad weather on slopes of Mt Kenya have been flown to Nanyuki airstrip for first aid.

The four who looked dusty and fatigued from the accident were smiling as they received treatment and drinks at the airstrip.

Kenya's department of defence has clarified that it has only identified seven officers who are currently being evacuated and will be given further instructions from their generals in Uganda,

It appears the rescue mission has been left to one good samaritan pilot who took it up on himself to salvage the soldiers in the ill-fated helicopters. Reports quoted the Ugandan military as saying all the 28 soldiers had been rescued and are safe.

A pilot of Tropic Air Ben Simpson who had responded to emergency calls rescued them.

“The chopper crashed southern part of Mt Kenya and all the seven people on board are alive but the captain has serious back injuries,” Simpson told The Standard digital from Nanyuki airstrip.

“The chopper’s body is badly damaged but the engine is intact. The propellers shafts are gone,” Simpson said.

The officers clutching their AK 47 rifles and still in their military uniforms, they looked weary but were confident they were alive a

Simpson flew in the first batch before leaving to go rescue three others still stranded in the forest.

Kenyan military officers from the Lakipia Airbase have now moved to supprt evacuation mission at Nanyuki airstrip.

More updates to follow: