Update: GDF soldiers deployed in search for missing aircraft

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 21:00 by GxMedia

Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldiers Saturday afternoon joined  a massive search and rescue operation for a A Trans Guyana Airways (TGA) aircraft that Saturday morning went down as it was shuttling from Olive Creek to Imbaimadi, the Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force Brigadier Mark Phillips said.

Phillips confirmed that a group of Special Forces soldiers has been deployed to the general area where TGA officials said a satellite Spot Checker indicated was the last known location of the Caravan airplane bearing registration number 8R-GHS.

The Chief of Staff said the seven men and two officers – including a Medex- were on the ground at Imbaimadi awaiting instructions from those in a helicopter. He said the soldiers were stocked with ration and other supplies for 96 hours to assist them to work round the clock. “They will be re-supplied and will remain there until we find this aircraft,” Phillips told Demerara Waves Online News. The Medical personnel would be providing first aid to injured persons until they are taken to the nearest hospital.

TGA spokesman, Kit Nascimento said the information was received about 10:50 AM that the pilot, Blake Slater, reported technical difficulties. Only Slater and an unnamed TGA Cargo Loader were aboard the plane.

Nascimento said the national search and rescue plan has been activated by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and already TGA planes were checking the area where it is believed the plane might have gone down. He said the general location of the aircraft has been identified on a ‘Spot Tracker’.

“We reported that he had problem and then we lost touch with him so he is officially listed as missing,” he told Demerara Waves Online News.

Up to 3 PM (Guyana Time ) the plane had not been located.