SOURCE: LOOP

Five Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldiers perished in Thursday’s helicopter crash Essequibo county about 30 miles east of the border with Venezuela.

According to a report published by Demerara Waves, amongst those who perished in the crash of the Bell 412 helicopter, bearing registration marking 8R-AYA was veteran helicopter pilot of 40 years, Lt Col. Michael Charles.

Those who survived were Lieutenant Colonel Andio Michael Crawford and Corporal, Dwayne Jackson.

The others who died are Commanding Officer of the 1st Infantry Battalion, Colonel Michael Shahoud, Retired Brigadier Gary Beaton, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome, and Staff Sergeant Jason Khan.

The aircraft went down in bad weather on Wednesday.