A fisherman who was one of the first responders at the scene of Sunday’s plane crash that killed 19 people in Tanzania’s Lake Victoria has detailed how he attempted to rescue the pilots who were trapped in the cockpit and how he nearly lost his life in the process.
Majaliwa Jackson has been formally recognized as a hero, paid 1 million Tanzanian shillings ($430; £370), and offered a position with the fire and rescue department in recognition of his heroic actions.
Before the government statement, Mr. Jackson told from his hospital bed in the lakeside village of Bukoba that he panicked when he watched the passenger plane approach from the wrong direction before crashing into the lake.
Together with three other fishermen, he helped open the plane’s rear door by shattering it with an oar, allowing people seated in the rear of the aircraft to be rescued.
Then, according to Mr. Jackson, he moved to the front and dove into the sea. He and one of the pilots then communicated through the cockpit window using hand signals.
“He instructed me to smash the window screen, so I emerged from the water and asked airport security, who had just arrived if they had any equipment we could use to do so.
“They gave me an axe, but a man with a public address system prevented me from destroying the television screen. He said that they were already in contact with the pilots and that there was no water leak in the cockpit,” Mr. Jackson stated.
After being halted, he “dove back and waved goodbye to the pilot,” he said.
However, the pilot indicated that he still desired rescue.
“He directed my attention to the cockpit emergency door. I swam back to the surface, hooked a rope to the door, and attempted to pull it with other boats, but the line snapped and struck me in the face, knocking me unconscious. “The next thing I knew, I was at the hospital,” stated Mr. Jackson.
The two pilots are among the 19 confirmed dead after the jet operated by Tanzania’s largest private airline, Precision Air, crashed on the lake’s edge.
According to Precision Air, there were 24 survivors among the 43 individuals on board.
On Monday, mourners staged a memorial service for the 19 fatalities at the local football field in Bukoba.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa of Tanzania stated during the service that the government would pay for the burials.
Previously, he stated that a thorough investigation would be conducted to determine the reason for the crash.
The plane departed the commercial hub Dar es Salaam on Sunday and made a scheduled stop in Mwanza before crashing as it approached Bukoba airport at about 08:50 local time (05:50 GMT).
The airport is currently closed indefinitely.
