THE search for helicopter pilot Gilbert Parker and two-year-old Epeli Jeremiah is officially over.
The duo remain missing 15 days after the chopper they were in crashed into Natewa Bay, Vanua Levu. Mr Parker was transporting Epeli — who had a serious respiratory illness and his mother Taraivosa Kalougata — to the Labasa Hospital from Naitauba Island on August 2 when it went down in inclement weather.
Mrs Kalougata’s body was discovered a day later along with some pieces of the wreckage.
Divisional police commander North Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Eparama Waqa yesterday confirmed that the search had been brought to an end.
He said the respective families had also been informed. SSP Waqa said nothing else was discovered apart from the debris found along the shores of Saqani after the accident.
Crash investigator in-charge Andrew McGregor said after extensive searches for the Robinson 44 helicopter wreckage, they decided to end search operations.
“There have been several challenges,” he said.
“These include large areas of sunken reef on the western side of Natewa Bay which pose significant risks to sea craft and specialist sonar equipment,” he said.
“The depth of channels which are near the limit of diver capability with the strong currents at these locations and the likelihood that the helicopter broke up on impact are some challenges.
“In that case it is likely that the strong sea currents have transported the helicopter sections several miles from the initial point of impact, making discovery of significant wreckage even with substantially greater search resources, unlikely.
“For these reasons all those involved in leading the search operations have decided to call off the search.
“I would like to express my sympathy and condolences to the families and friends of those whose lives have been tragically taken in this terrible accident.”
Earlier this week, Toga Kalougata, father of Epeli and husband of the Taraivosa Kalougata said he had accepted the fate of his loved ones.
Describing it as a will of God, he has also said no one should be blamed for the tragedy.
Mr Kalougata thanked the police, navy, military and villagers for assisting in the search and sacrificing their time to be at the site for the past 15 days.
CHRONOLOGY:
- August 2, 5.30pm: The helicopter departed Naitauba Island for Labasa Hospital
- August 2, 6pm: Villagers of Navonu saw the helicopter fly over copra farms in the area. Villagers say the helicopter was at low altitude as they could clearly see the pilot.
- August 2, 6pm-6.30pm: Pilot made a distress call. Location: Between Korotasere and Vanuavou.
- August 2, 6.45pm: Labasa Hospital contacted Toga Kalougata at Naitauba informing him that the helicopter had not arrived. Scheduled time of arrival at hospital is 6.30pm.
- August 2, 7pm: Police at Wainigadru for community activity were contacted. Village headmen of Vaturova and Saqani villages were alerted.
- August 2, 8pm: Search between police and community starts after police alerted.
- August 3, 2pm: Body of first passenger Taraivosa Kalougata discovered near Navetau Village.
- August 13, 11am: Body of Mrs Kalougata taken to Taveuni and laid to rest n August 16, midday: Search called off after all avenues were exhausted.
