Three soldiers injured in helicopter crash

MASERU — Three members of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) sustained minor injuries when a helicopter they were travelling in crashed near Maqalika Dam on Sunday.

In a statement the LDF said the helicopter crashed during an emergency landing.

The three were from a mission to assess snow conditions and rescue victims in the highlands.

“The initial report filed with the LDF (public affairs office) states that when the pilot experienced problems with the helicopter he did his level best to conduct an emergency landing,” the statement said.

“In the incident the pilot and two soldiers sustained minor injuries and were treated as outpatients.”

Captain Ntlele Ntoi, LDF public affairs officer, said the helicopter which has a capacity to carry five passengers, was carrying three people including the pilot.

“The victims were all LDF members, one of them was a photographer who was going to take pictures to help in sensitising the public about the snow conditions in the highlands,” Ntoi said.

He said aviation experts and the army were still investigating the cause of the crash.