/ 31 May 2008

7de Laan cast and crew in helicopter crash

A South African Broadcasting Corporation promotional helicopter transporting cast and crew members from the local soapie <i>7de Laan</i> crashed into a bakkie in Kroonstad on Saturday, Free State police said. Spokesperson Superintendent Sam Makhele said the helicopter was transporting cast and crew to a stadium for a show.

A South African Broadcasting Corporation promotional helicopter transporting cast and crew members from the local soapie 7de Laan crashed into a bakkie in Kroonstad on Saturday, Free State police said.

Spokesperson Superintendent Sam Makhele said the helicopter was transporting cast and crew to a stadium for a show.

7de Laan cast members Sekoati Tsubane, Hazel Hinda and Amalia Uys were injured.

”The helicopter took off, but then encountered some problems and went down again.”

He did not know the nature of the problems.

”The helicopter then crashed with the bakkie that was driving around the area where the helicopter was taking off.”

Tsubane and Hinda were checked on and released from hospital, but Amalia Uys had sustained a minor fracture to her hand and would be kept under observation for the night.

The passenger of the bakkie sustained minor neck injuries.

The pilot and driver were not injured, contrary to what police stated earlier on Saturday. — Sapa