Our fallen colleagues – “At the setting of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them”.

The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, General Bheki Cele, is greatly saddened to confirm the death of one of our respected and experienced pilots, Colonel Shabir Khan.

Khan, together with a colleague from the SAPS Air Wing at Wonderboom Airport Pretoria, miraculously survived a helicopter crash in January this year.

After concerned colleagues, who were advised that Colonel Khan had failed to keep a medical appointment, contacted Wierdabrug Police Station, his body was found on his bed in his home in Centurion.  There was no sign of forced entry.

A post mortem is presently being conducted to establish the cause of death.

Colonel Khan, 43 years of age, was a fixed wing pilot and was one of the pilots who flew the police jet and therefore has interacted with General Cele on many occasions.  He was a pilot for 20 years, the past 16 years with the South African Police Service and had 7 000 hours flying time.

The members of the National Air Wing are devastated by the news of Khan’s death, after losing one of their beloved colleagues in a helicopter accident in Witbank in July 2010.

“Colonel Khan was a most humble, dignified and deeply religious man.  I am terribly saddened by his sudden death and, on behalf of the South African Police Serve, convey my heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues and friends.  He will be greatly missed”, said General Cele.

HeliHub.com editor note – the January accident referred to is on our website at 21-Jan-11 ZS-HWX MD Helicopters 369D Wonderboompoort, South Africa