by Isi Esene

The Taraba State governor, Danbaba Suntai, who was on Thursday involved in a plane crash is reported to be in a stable condition at the National Hospital, Abuja.

This was disclosed yesterday by the Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Bello Bala Shehu, while receiving president Goodluck Jonathan who came to assess the health condition of the governor.

After the crash on Thursday night, the governor was evacuated from the wreck to a Specialist Hospital in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, and later transferred to the Federal Medical Centre also in the city.

Suntai was later taken to the National Hospital, Abuja, where he is said to be in Intensive Care.

During the visit, president Goodluck Jonathan called on the medical director, Bala Shehu, to ensure that the governor is given adequate medical attention. He thanked God for sparing the governor’s life.

The Cessna 208, 5N-BMJ, aircraft operated by Suntai with six people on board, reportedly crashed at about 7:45pm on Thursday and was found about 90minutes later.

The statement released by Joe Obi, the special adviser on media to the aviation minister partly reads: “An aircraft, Cessna 208 with 6 souls on board including crew, operated by the Taraba State Government departed Jalingo, Taraba State for Yola this evening and reported contact with the Yola Control Tower (1720Z) and field in sight at 38 miles estimating landing at 1730Z.

“The pilot subsequently lost contact with Yola Control Tower and subsequent effort to raise the aircraft failed. Search & Rescue was immediately activated and site of incident located with all victims alive with various degrees of injuries.

“The victims have been evacuated to the hospital for treatment pending further investigation of the incident.”

We wish all the air crash victims speedy recovery.