Bodies of four perished in plane crash arrive in Lae

The bodies of the four passengers who tragically lost their lives in the plane crash on the 22nd of December at Sarawaget, in Kabwum District, Morobe have finally been brought to Lae today at around midday.

It's been a week and two days since this tragedy and finally is closure for the families and loved ones who have been anxiously waiting.

Deputy Prime Minister and Lae MP John Rosso, Housing Minister and Tewae Siassi MP Dr. Kobby Bomareo, Morobe Governor Luther Wenge, Peter Guiness from the Northern command and Colonel Douglas Vavar including families and loved ones were on hand to receive them.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police for Northern Command Peter Guinness confirmed, that the ambulance was escorted by most of the police vehicles into the helipad to pick up the bodies.

ACP Guinness told NBC News that the body of his police officer who perished while on duty was separated from the others and put in the police vehicle upon arrival.

He said the other three were transported in the ambulances to the Angau Memorial General Hospital morgue, all now waiting for the forensics team to continue their investigations with the assistance of the doctors.

Upon the arrival Dr. Bomareo thanked all involved in the recovery operations.

"I thank the government, PNG Defense Force, Helicopter Companies, Morobe Provincial Government including Morobe Disaster Officer who played vital role in retrieving the bodies and bring the bodies back. This was an unfortunate situation we went through and I thank you all," Dr. Bomareo said.

Sharing the similar sentiments, Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso conveyed his condolences to their families and Dr. Bomareo for this loss.

"It's been a very tragic Christmas and first of all I would like to send my utmost condolences to the family of ones who perished in the tragic accident happened in the Sarawaget range," Rosso said.

PNGDF Air transport wing Colonel Douglas Vavar also thanked his men, police forensics and the accident and investigation team for the joint effort in recovery and for final closure for the families.

Meanwhile, ACP Guinness also confirmed that all other members of the tactical search and rescue [SAR] teams are already back in Lae except six other officers.

He said the six were unable to be airlifted back to Lae because the cloud cover has already gotten thick, so they will spend another night and return tomorrow.