Identities of 7 tourists killed in Mt Ololokwe helicopter crash revealed

The identities of all seven people killed in the helicopter crash at Mt Ololokwe in Samburu County have emerged as authorities continue recovery operations and investigations into the tragedy.

The victims have been identified as pilot Josh Outram and passengers Roger Duarte, Adam Navaty, Stephen Vasconquez, Henry Parra, Michael Contugi, and Suian Suarez, the only woman among those on board.

Outram was a fourth-generation Kenyan whose adult life was closely tied to aviation and northern Kenya, and he had more than 15 years of flying experience across the conservation and commercial sectors and founded an African helicopter company to connect visitors with some of the region’s most remote landscapes.

His company also provided aerial support to Loisaba Conservancy and neighbouring conservancies, assisting with wildlife monitoring, animal translocations, and darting operations.

Outram had previously described the Suguta Valley as one of his favourite routes, highlighting its wildlife conservancies, volcanic craters, river sandbanks, lava pools, flamingo-filled lake beds, and the shores of Lake Turkana.

His interest in aviation began at an early age, with his career eventually spanning both tourism and conservation work. He obtained commercial pilot qualifications after pursuing his private pilot licence and went on to build extensive experience flying across Kenya.

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While the names of all seven victims have now been released, authorities have not officially confirmed the nationalities of the six passengers. Their nationalities are expected to be established as identification and notification procedures continue.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that the aircraft involved was a Eurocopter EC130 B4, registration 5Y-GYM. The helicopter had been flying from Soyian in Laikipia towards Loisaba Conservancy before crashing at Mt Ololokwe.

Police and emergency teams were deployed to the remote crash site following the accident, while recovery teams worked in the rugged terrain around the mountain.

The Ministry of Roads and Transport’s Air Accident Investigation Department has taken charge of the technical investigation into the crash and is working with other relevant agencies to establish what happened.

Investigators are expected to examine the wreckage, flight information, and other available evidence as they reconstruct the final moments of the flight.

The cause of the crash has not yet been established, with authorities yet to attribute it to weather conditions, mechanical failure, pilot error, or any other specific factor.

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