Associated airlines sends crash crew survivors to S-Africa

Management of Associated Airlines has finally sent its two cabin crew members who were involved in its aircrash in Lagos on October 3, 2013 to South Africa for treatment.


The airliner, Embraer 120, crashed close to the Murtala Muhammed Airport while conveying the remains of former governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, to Akure for burial.

The two cabin crew members, Miss Toyin Samson and Mrs. Quinneth Owolabi, had been receiving treatment at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, and Nigeria Airforce Hospital, Airforce Base, Ikeja, respectively, following injuries sustained in the crash.

Vanguard gathered yesterday, that the victims were flown out of the country last Monday, even though the left toes of Mrs. Owolabi had been amputated due to gangrene infection.

It was also learnt that the reason given by the airline for flying them out late was to allow them stabilise in the hospitals where they were receiving treatments.

Confirming the development to Vanguard, yesterday, President of National Cabin Crew Association, NACCA, Mr. Charles Onuoha, said the association was delighted that the airline had risen to the occasion by attending to the welfare of the victims.

He said the airline also picked the bills of the two ladies before moving them out of the country for further treatment.

“We are happy that Associated Airlines has done the needful. Our two members who survived the crash were transferred to a South African hospital last Monday to continue their post-trauma treatment and we are monitoring their situation. The airlines sent them out because they know the insurers will pay,” Onuoha told Vanguard.

He said the airlines’ management contemplated sending them to Israel for treatment before eventually settling for South Africa.

On compensation for the victims, as spelt out by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, Onuoha said the airlines was in a position to pay families of passengers and crew, since the aircraft was covered by insurance.

ICAO specifies payment of $100,000 compensation to families of victims of the crash.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/12/associated-airlines-sends-crash-crew-survivors-s-africa/#sthash.eON3loXx.dpuf