Exactly two years after the ill-fated MD-83 Dana Air crash at Iju-Ishaga, a Lagos suburb, in which over 153 people died, a coroner’s inquest yesterday blamed the inclusive report of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and the missing bodies of the pilots for “unknown cause” of the crash.
In a verdict delivered by Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe at the Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court, the coroner held that the AIB only submitted the report of its preliminary investigation and had not concluded its findings on the cause of the air disaster.
The coroner explained that the missing bodies of the pilot and the co-pilot, if found, would have been tested to determine if they were “under the influence”.
In the course of the inquest, a witness, who claimed to be on the crash scene, told the court that he found the pilot’s body lying on the ground.
Despite the claim, consultant pathologist, Dr. John Obafunwa, averred that nine bodies, including the pilot’s and co-pilot’s, were uncounted for at the hospital.
According to him, the bodies of 144 people were identified by or through their relatives.
Obafunwa said the bodies that were unaccounted for could either be individuals other than those who bought the tickets or those who were completely incinerated.
Magistrate Komolafe held that “the missing bodies of the pilot and co-pilot were a lost opportunity to determine whether or not they were under the influence of alcohol”.
He added: “Had their bodies been identified, samples would have been taken and analysed. The disappearance of their bodies has shut us out from finding out whether or not they were under the influence or not.
“I am not saying it is likely, but the opportunity was lost.”
On the death of the victims, the coroner held that most of them died from multiple injuries, blunt force trauma, air plane crash and fire.
He noted that from picture evidence, some of the passengers were alive after the crash but died from smoke inhalation.
The expert said 12 people died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning.
Quoting Obafunwa’s findings, the coroner said: “A few died from heart failure, asphyxia (absence of oxygen), severe burns injury, soot inhalation, and severe crano-cerebral injury.
“I find that the commonest factor associated with death was multiple injuries – fractured arms and legs, fractured ribs, punctured lungs, fractured skull – and so on.
“You cannot attribute death to one single injury. Each one can individually cause death.”
Komolafe, who made nine recommendations, urged governments (federal, states and local) to put in place effective emergency response structures.
He recommended the establishment of a national body for logistics and supply, body retrievals, body handlers and periodic meetings and rehearsals among the units.
Komolafe said there is need for the establishment of Forensic Science laboratories in each geo-political zone and the enactment of a National Coroner’s Act.
“Public sensitisation and provision of fire service stations in every local government across the country must be considered,” he added. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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That's the norm in Nigeria,I will be surprised if they found the cause.
ReplyDeleteGracious God saves us in Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteWHAT CAUSE DO YOU PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW THAN THE TWO ENGINE PARK UP FOR LACK OF FUEL.
ReplyDelete