A tragic military helicopter crash in Guyana claimed the lives of five officers, including a retired brigadier general, while two others survived. The helicopter went down near the western border with Venezuela during adverse weather conditions. The victims were on a routine mission to inspect troops stationed along the border.
Among the deceased were retired Brigadier General Gary Beaton, Colonel Mike Shahoud, and two other senior military officers. The Prime Minister of Guyana, Mark Phillips, expressed his deep sorrow, stating that a full investigation would be launched to determine the cause of the crash. Initial reports suggest that the bad weather likely played a major role in the accident, which is being regarded as one of the worst air crashes in the country’s military history.
President Irfaan Ali also mourned the loss, noting the immense contribution these officers had made to the nation and the military. The incident has sparked an outpouring of grief across the country, with flags being flown at half-mast to honor the fallen soldiers.
