Helicopter carrying boxes of gold force lands in maize farm near Asamankese

A mechanical fault has forced a private helicopter carrying boxes of gold from a mining site in Bibiani in the Western Region to Accra to make an emergency landing in a maize farm near Asamankese in the Eastern Region.

All four crew members, including a Custom officer and two private security men escaped unhurt in the incident which occurred about 12:00pm at Kumikrom on Monday.

The crew members were Capt. Abdul Salam, Gifty Danso, a Custom officer, David Fosu and Adjei Kumi Enoch.

The helicopter, registered No SA365C3-N5073, was transporting gold belonging to the Chirano Gold Mines to Accra when Capt. Abdul Salam detected a mechanical fault; forcing him to force land.

A mayday call was then placed to the Police at Asamankese at about 12:25pm. Police personnel were immediately dispatched to the scene to secure the boxes of gold and the chopper.

At 5:40pm, another helicopter arrived at the scene to airlift the boxes of gold and the distressed crew to continue the journey to Accra.

The faulty helicopter was left at the scene under the guard of the Police at Yanowa.