Tragic loss: Identities of 5 Americans killed in Samburu chopper crash
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
- A Eurocopter EC130 B4 carrying seven people went down in Samburu county during a scenic safari flight
- Five of the seven victims were American nationals connected to South Florida's media, business, and community circles
- The US Embassy in Kenya confirmed the deaths and said it was providing consular assistance to families of those who perished
Seven people died on Wednesday morning when a helicopter crashed near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu county, northern Kenya, during what was supposed to be a scenic safari flight.
Five of the victims were American nationals, the US State Department and local authorities confirmed.
The aircraft, a Eurocopter EC130 B4, went down at approximately 9:13 am local time while travelling from the Loisaba Conservancy towards Ewaso Nyiro.
All seven people on board, who were guests of a luxury safari operator, perished.
The US Embassy in Kenya released a statement acknowledging the tragedy:
"Our deepest condolences to the loved ones of those who perished in today's helicopter crash in Samburu County. We are in touch with local authorities and providing consular assistance."
Who were the Americans killed in Samburu chopper crash?
The five Americans killed were José Alberto Suárez, Roger Edward Duarte, Adam Martin Hlavaty, Henry Parra, and Stephany Maria Hollihan Vasconez, most of whom had deep ties to South Florida.
Suárez, 55, was a senior Telemundo executive who served as president and general manager of the network's stations in Orlando, Tampa, and Fort Myers.
He had spent more than 25 years in broadcast media, earning multiple Emmy awards and a reputation as a mentor within the industry.
Duarte, who was in his late 30s to early 40s, built his name in Miami's food industry, founding George Stone Crab, a seafood delivery business, and co-founding My Ceviche.
A Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree, he was married to Nicole Valls, whose family owns the well-known Miami restaurants Versailles and La Carreta, and is survived by two sons.
Hlavaty, 42, was co-founder of Mrkt Group and had previously worked as vice president of development for Benihana.
A resident of Coral Gables, he sat on the board of the Coral Gables Art Museum.
Parra, 55, co-founded aviation software company Trax USA and was a former US Navy Aviation Support technician.
He and Hlavaty were partners who shared a home in Coral Gables and were remembered by those close to them as devoted to each other and to their community.
Hollihan Vasconez, an Ecuadorian-American dual citizen, was the wife of Ecuador's national intelligence chief Michele Sensi-Contugi, who also died in the crash. A fashion designer who championed Ecuadorian artisans, she is survived by two children.
Kenyan pilot Josh Outram also lost his life in the crash.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the accident as the families of those killed begin to come to terms with their sudden loss.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.