Alexander Lebed killed in an air crash

Yesterday, the list of Mi-8 helicopter crashes grew by one. Alexander Lebed, governor of Krasnoyarsk Region, died. Together with his deputies, he set out to fly to the opening of a new ski line in Yermakov district, in the south of Krasnoyarsk region.

The Mi-8 helicopter, which belonged to Yeniseisky Meridian air company fell from a height of 30 m, hitting an electricity transmission line. The accident took place at 10.25 (local time). The witnesses of the tragedy were workers of transport police, who passed the scene while traveling along the Abakan-Kyzyl highway. According to the witnesses, there was no fire. In thirty minutes, they reached the spot and managed to render medical assistance to the victims. All of them were alive at that moment. A bit later, another Mi-8 helicopter reached the spot, carrying the second half of the delegation.

The injured people were transported to the Yermakovskoye settlement and, afterwards, to the city of Abakan. However, at 13.00 (local time), the medical staff of the airport pronounced Alexander Lebed dead.

According to the latest information, as a result of the catastrophe, nine people died. There was a total of 21 people onboard. The victims were mainly the passengers who set near the cockpit: Alexandr Lebed, workers of the regional administration, and journalists.

A special commission for investigating the accident was created, which headed by emergency minister Sergei Shoigu.

According to the wish of Alexander Lebed’s family, the governor will be buried in Moscow, in the cemetery of the Novodevicy Convent (New Nunnery of Maiden).

Oleg Artyukov PRAVDA.Ru

Translated by Vera Solovieva

Read the original in Russian: http://www.pravda.ru/main/2002/04/29/40446.html