And, in a very busy afternoon of major national press conferences, the Ministry of National security started its one at 5:00 to present two new reports on the BDF Helicopter crash.
Minister Michael Peyrefitte told the press it will be uploaded to the Ministry website:
Hon. Michael Peyrefitte - Ministry of National Security
"In the Bell Helicopter report and the Civil Aviation report, to me it adds nothing new. There are no surprises in there but I don't expect you to trust me. So, you could read it for yourself when we post it online."
Jules Vasquez
"So, is it still pointing to a none mechanical error, to a pilot error? Are those reports still pointing to a pilot error?"
Hon. Michael Peyrefitte
"Well, they don't get into that per se, directly. Essentially they just analyze the aircraft."
Jules Vasquez
"Are there any ballistic reports? For example, any that indicates any activity, gun fire?"
Hon. Michael Peyrefitte
"You mean new reports? No, currently, the reports remain that there is no evidence of any gunshot to the main frame or other parts of the aircraft. An autopsy was done, a full autopsy was done with photographs and everything and there was no sign of any harm by any firearm or anything to that effect. The autopsy report, naturally, we've given the families the opportunity for them to view it or have it if they want. But naturally, what they do with it is there choice."
The press conference started over an hour late and finished just before 6:00 pm. The Ministry's team and the BDF commander said they were late because they were meeting the families of the four soldiers who died when the helicopter went down:
Jules Vasquez
"You had a meeting with the families today, are you able to say anything about what that was like in terms of trying to appease them? We know there have been various complaints about people finding out on Facebook. But obviously there is a lot of mystery surrounding this accident."
Brig. Gen. Steven Ortega- BDF Commander
"I believe we've clarified quite a bit with the families and we are still continuing to work together to get to the bottom of everything. But the relationship is very good with the families presently."
Hon. Michael Peyrefitte
"There will always be some difference between, I mean you have a family member, a son a brother or whatever, you are anxious to find out things and you are anxious to see things but there is a process. There was some chafing given the desire to get answers immediately and the desire to also carry out a proper investigation. There were some differences but we believe that we've cleared them out for the families."
The reports are on the ministry's website and we'll have more from the late press conference tomorrow.
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