Families of B.D.F. Soldiers Received Preliminary Findings

Family members of the deceased Belize Defense soldiers, who perished in the helicopter crash, were provided a copy of the preliminary report of the investigation before it was released to the nation. The four families along with their attorneys, Audrey Matura, Dean Molina, and Stacey Castillo met with National Security Minister Michael Peyrefitte, Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral John Borland and other officials this afternoon at Price Barracks in Ladyville. Minister Peyrefitte detailed to the families the timeline of events leading to the unfortunate crash near the Gales Point Wildlife Sanctuary. Matura, who is representing three families, says that the families have not yet read the preliminary report and as such have not decided if they will accept or deny the findings. 

Audrey Matura, Attorney for Families

“This is a preliminary report by the Hondurans who came and investigate it. What page fourteen basically says, it is pointing to human error. However in the section of the recommendations there are very revealing recommendations. I want the record to show right now from the perspective from the families, they are not saying that they accept that conclusion or they are not saying that they reject. They believe at this point it is too early. There is much more to happen, much more to be considered, more evidence to come in. So they don’t want to jump and say that they agree or disagree. But other than that they will read it. They will consult with whom they have to consult and at the right time they will say what their position is. There are still a wider investigation as to the circumstances before, the protocol is followed, the proper chain of command, even the means of communication, what was logged, what was not logged and all of that. So we can’t say in detail who actually gave it but it would seem that the request came from the ministry and there was some kind of agreement from the general and thereafter the air wing took over and made the decision whether to go or not to go. In the recommendation section they were recommending that they should not go without proper radio communication. That they should not go out without night vision capacity, that they should not go out in certain weather conditions and that there are certain protocols to be developed. So, like I said before, while page fourteen speaks as to what the analysis or the conclusion is, the recommendations are very telling but it is preliminary. There is indication by the minister, who is the one who briefed the family, that there is still an investigation to be done by the company that manufactured the helicopter. That the Americans also offered to come in with their expertise and do their own investigation and as you all know Admiral Borland is the one coordinating overall. So from the government’s perspective, we are expecting that after all these investigations are done that they will step forward and give what is the larger investigation and conclusion. So we are literally only at the preliminary stage.”