Helicopter crash victims were placed in jute sacks because bodies were overheated — CDS

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Ghana Armed Forces, Lieutenant General William Agyapong, has explained why the remains from the August 6 helicopter crash were carried in jute sacks from the scene.

The crash claimed the lives of two cabinet ministers and six others. Many have criticised the use of jute sacks, describing it as a disrespect to the dead, and have called for sanctions against those involved.

Speaking at a meeting with the leadership of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) on Wednesday, August 13, the CDS said the bodies were too hot to be placed in body bags.

“We had some body bags at the scene, but the remains were so heated that it was not conducive to use them. It was in a thick forest, and it was getting late. We had the option of leaving the remains there until the next day, but we know what could have happened to the bodies.

“So the team on the ground decided to use any available material to descend the high ground to the foot of the hill,” he said.

According to him, the remains were later transferred into body bags, some of which were provided by AngloGold Ashanti, and then placed in ambulances to Kumasi.

There, they were kept in coffins draped in national colours before being moved to Accra for an official reception.