The men are Chief Inspector of Police Alfred Churchill Marsden and the pilot known on St. Maarten as Mike.
In the meantime, the items and tissues that were found have been sent to Holland where DNA testing is now being conducted. Members of the immediate families of both men are keeping their hopes high since there is no solid information on the whereabouts of the missing men. A memorial service for Mike was held at Toppers Restaurant yesterday afternoon. Speeches reflected how the men involved in this tragedy went out to save the lives of someone else, something they did in the past.
The investors of the fallen helicopter are Toochi Meyers, P. Simmons, Mike, Marsden and Learning Unlimited SMN News has learnt.
Meyers in an invited comment to SMN News said the aircraft was serviced by someone working for the manufacturer on September 30. He said the aircraft was a brand new when it was purchased. He further explained that they the investor complied with all the required rules and regulations lay down by Civil Aviation. Meyers said civil aviation had requested the pilot who has of 20 years of flying experience to have a commercial license which he secured since the intention is to operate charter flights. As per the Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Meyers said that the pilot had also secured this license in the USA. Having VFR and IFR means the pilot has met the requirements to fly within the Antilles.
Meyers said that they learnt the aircraft is about 3000 feet deep in water and they believed the bodies are strapped in the aircraft and there is no one on St. Maarten who can assist in salvaging the aircraft or the bodies. He said the families of the pilot already contacted the American Consul to see if they are willing to assist in salvaging the aircraft and mostly the bodies of the two men. "Right now the focus is on finding closers for the grieving families".
Commenting on phone calls Marsden made to his wife the night he left, Meyers said that Marsden was at the Toppers Restaurant with the pilot and others when they received the phone call to conduct the rescue in Saba, he said that Marsden did try to communicate with his wife to let her know he was going over to Saba but somehow she missed the calls.
