Kilimanjaro skydiving tragedy

28th February 2008

News has just reached our office of a fatal crash of one of the planes owned by Skydive Kilimanjaro, a company that operates skydiving trips to tourists from Moshi Airstrip.

The aircraft, a Cessna 172, crashed soon after take-off on the 13th February. The pilot, Capt. Baraka Lutwaza, and the videographer, Hayden Rowan, were both killed in the accident. Two other passengers, Sian Bolton of the UK and tandem master Izak Snyman from South Africa, were both badly injured in the accident. After both being initially rushed to the KCMC Hospital in Moshi, Sian has since been transferred to Nairobi where she is in intensive care. Izak remains in the KCMC where he is being treated for multiple fractures to both femurs as well as concussion.

The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority are now conducting an investigation into the cause of the crash, while Skydive Kilimanjaro have suspended their operations for the time being.

Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased and we hope both the injured parties gain a speedy and full recovery.