Ebrahim Raisi, Other VIPs Who Have Died in Helicopter Crash

On May 19, 2024, Iran was shaken by the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. Raisi was traveling with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Malek Rahmati, the governor of East Azarbaijan province, and Hojjatoleslam Al Hashem, Tabriz’s Friday prayer leader. 

Their helicopter went missing in East Azerbaijan province. Rescue teams found the wreckage the next day, confirming the deaths of all onboard. This incident is one of the most recent in a series of helicopter crashes involving high-profile figures. Here are other notable figures who met untimely deaths in helicopter crashes.

Herbert Wigwe and others

Herbert Wigwe, the group chief executive officer (GCEO) of Access Holdings Plc, died in a helicopter crash in the United States on February 9. The crash also claimed the lives of Wigwe’s wife, son, and Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former group chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc. The helicopter crashed near the Nevada border while traveling from Palm Springs to Boulder City. The tragic accident was described by President Bola Tinubu as an “overwhelming tragedy.”

Ibrahim Attahiru

On May 21, 2021, Nigeria lost its Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru, in a helicopter crash near Kaduna International Airport. The Beechcraft 350 aircraft crashed, killing Attahiru and 10 other military officers. The crash was a significant loss for Nigeria, marking one of the most tragic helicopter accidents in the country’s recent history.

Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha

Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, the owner of Leicester City football club, died on October 28, 2018, when his helicopter crashed outside King Power Stadium in the United Kingdom. Four others perished in the crash: Nursara Suknamai, Kaveporn Punpare, the pilot Eric Swaffer, and his partner Izabela Roza Lechowicz. The crash occurred shortly after takeoff, devastating the football community and Leicester City fans worldwide.

Kobe Bryant

Basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna died in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, in Calabasas, California. The crash also claimed the lives of John Altobelli, a baseball coach, his wife Keri, and their daughter Alyssa. The Sikorsky S-76 helicopter crashed in foggy conditions, about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. The incident sent shockwaves across the globe, mourning the loss of a sports icon.

Patrick Yakowa and Owoye Azazi

Former governor of Kaduna, Patrick Yakowa, and former National Security Adviser, Owoye Azazi, died in a helicopter crash on December 15, 2012. The crash occurred in Bayelsa state, Nigeria, as they were heading to Port Harcourt after attending a funeral. This tragic event highlighted the risks associated with air travel even for top government officials.