3 people died in Bulacan helicopter crash, Gordon says

A private helicopter crashed in a fishpond in Brgy. Anilao, Malolos Bulacan at 1:04 this afternoon, April 25. PRC dispatched an ambulance and a medical team and coordinated with local authorities. The team immediately provided first aid and CPR to affected passengers. (Photo: Philippine Red Cross/Twitter)

The chairman of Philippine Red Cross (PRC) confirmed that three passengers died in a helicopter crash in Malolos, Bulacan on Thursday afternoon, April 25.

“UPDATE: Death toll rose to 3 in a helicopter crash in Malolos, Bulacan. Other injured passengers were already transported by our @philredcross team to Bulacan Medical Center,” Senator Richard Gordon said in a tweet.

Among the fatalities is businessman Liberato “Levy” Laus, chairman of the LausGroup of Companies and the chairman emeritus of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“So sad and shocked at the sudden loss of my good friend, entrepreneur & great kapangpangan, Levy Laus, who perished with his aide & pilot in a chopper crash. Kate & I commiserate with Tessie & d family,” Gordon tweeted.

Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, meanwhile, remembered Laus whom he called as a “very good and simple man in spite [of] his many successes.”

“Sad news, a JCI (Junior Chamber International of the Philippines) brother, Levy Laus, of the Laus Group of Companies, died in a chopper crash this afternoon,” he tweeted.

Senator Sonny Angara, also on Twitter, sent his condolences to Laus’s family.

“RIP (Rest in peace) Levy Laus. Condolences to his family friends and associates,” the lawmaker said.

According to the Civilian Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), the helicopter, with body code RP C8098, was bound for San Fernando, Pampanga when it crashed into a fishpond in Barangay Anilao in Malolos, Bulacan at 12:47 p.m.

The aircraft, which the CAAP said was owned and operated by LGC Air Transport, took off from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) General Aviation at 12:28 p.m.

The PRC, in a tweet, said an estimated of six passengers were on board the helicopter. It said it already dispatched an ambulance and a medical team to give assistance.

“The team immediately provided first aid and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) to affected passengers,” it said.