Post date: Jun 10, 2012 11:20:43 AM
Nigeria-Air Crash/Passenger -- Passenger who escapes tragedy recalls moment after learning about Nigerian plane crash
CCTV BEIJING - A man who missed the ill-fated Dana Air flight that crashed last Sunday has recalled the moment when he learned about the accident.
The lucky passenger, Paul Apele, is a freelance journalist who was supposed to be on Dana Air Flight 992, but arrived at the airport just as the plane was taking off. Apele remembers hearing about the news just an hour after feeling frustrated about missing the flight.
"On getting to the airport, I just parked my vehicle and I saw the Dana taking off. In fact I also said to myself, I hope that's not my plane going," said the journalist.
Almost an hour after the flight had taken off, Apele was sitting in the airport lounge waiting for his next flight when the news of the plane crash reached him.
"For a moment I didn't feel anything. Then I remembered that was the Dana I was supposed to be on heading to Lagos. Then a sad feeling hit on my feet, and I started shaking," added Apele.
Although he was lucky enough to miss the flight, many others were not.
At the Lagos University Hospital, friends and relatives of those who were on board the flight gathered to wait for word on the remains of their loved ones.
A counseling center has been set up to help the bereaved through the traumatic episode.
"The counseling desk will take care of the post traumatic effects of this disaster," said Olu Osanyitolu, the doctor in charge of the counseling center, adding that they are working hard to weigh the impact of this tragedy on those who have lost family members.
Authorities are having difficulty identifying victims of the crash, as some bodies have been disfigured or burned beyond recognition. According to the Lagos state attorney general, only 52 of the 149 bodies accounted for are identifiable.
"That is why the state too, is carrying out a specialized test, DNA, so that they will be able to identify their beloved ones and assist them to preserve their beloved ones properly," added Osanyitolu.
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