An Air Services Limited (ASL) plane landed off the Matthews Ridge airstrip, Region One this morning but there were no life-threatening injuries to the passengers and pilot aboard.
Sources confirmed that the female pilot and eleven passengers were rushed to the Matthews Ridge Hospital. The pilot, this newspaper understands, sustained a gash above her eye while several of the passengers sustained injuries to limbs. Efforts are being made to transport the pilot and four of the passengers to the Georgetown Hospital for medical attention.
When Stabroek News made contact with ASL at the Ogle Airport, an employee said that nothing will be said until there is confirmation of the details.
Stabroek News understands that the pilot encountered heavy mist around the airstrip as she was preparing to land just before 8.30 am. Reports are that the plane was seen circling for some time before.
On landing, the plane ended up in thick vegetation a short distance away from the airstrip. There was reportedly damage to one of the wheels and the aircraft’s baggage area.
The Government Information Agency this morning reported that Public Works Minister Robeson Benn said that a team from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has been sent in for the purposes of investigation and recovery. Benn said the plane crashed during bad weather and may have been written off.
A Trans Guyana plane was diverted to the area to ferry out those who may be injured and those desirous of returning to Georgetown, GINA said. However, up to 09:45hrs the plane was unable to take off due to thunderstorms.
