Muğla Helicopter Disaster: Investigating the Cause of the Accident
Tragic Accident: Ambulance Helicopter Crashes into Hospital Building, Claiming Four Lives
NEWS CENTER- In a devastating accident in Muğla, two pilots, one physician, and one medical staff lost their lives when an ambulance helicopter crashed into the hospital building. The incident occurred at Muğla Training and Research Hospital in Menteşe district, where the helicopter crashed into the building before landing in an empty field. Emergency response teams including fire brigade, health, police, and AFAD were dispatched to the scene immediately.
According to Muğla Governor İdris Akbıyık, the ambulance helicopter belonging to the Ministry of Health took off from the hospital in Kötekli District but crashed into the 4th floor of the hospital during take-off. Akbıyık mentioned that the dense fog may have contributed to the crash and expressed condolences for the deceased.
The victims of the crash were identified as Pilot Tamer Gönül, Pilot Bayram Çiçek, Doctor Cengiz Çoşkun, and Medical Personnel Selçuk Saykal. Their bodies were taken to the Muğla Forensic Medicine Institute for autopsy, as the Muğla Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation into the incident.
Eye-witness accounts, including a taxi driver who captured the moment of the crash on his on-board camera, shed light on the tragic event. Besides, Emergency Medical Technician Selçuk Saykal, one of the victims, had previously highlighted the challenges of operating in adverse weather conditions.
Following the completion of autopsy procedures, the Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu extended his condolences to the families of the deceased. A funeral ceremony was held at the hospital before the bodies were sent to Antalya and Mersin for burial.
Retired Captain Pilot and Accident Investigation Specialist Eyüp Turşucu attributed the accident to low visibility caused by fog. He suggested that the pilots may have lost sight of the building due to poor weather conditions, leading to the tragic crash.
An accident investigation team from the General Directorate of Civil Aviation is currently examining the wreckage, with the support of crime scene investigation teams. The debris will be removed following the investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
The community mourns the loss of these brave individuals and awaits further details regarding the circumstances that led to this heartbreaking incident.
