RCMP mum on details of survivor's escape from chopper crash

The sole survivor of last month's helicopter crash off the east coast of Newfoundland has told police his account of what happened, but investigators are not saying anything about what they have learned.

Robert Decker, 27, met with RCMP investigators on Wednesday "and gave a full account of the events surrounding the crash of Cougar Helicopters flight 491," Sgt. Wayne Newell said in a statement.

Newell said, however, the force will not be disclosing what Decker had to say.

The RCMP opened its investigation when the Cougar Helicopters aircraft crashed on March 12, shortly after its crew reported severe mechanical problems.

The crash killed 17 of the 18 people who had been aboard. Rescuers hoisted Decker, an ice tracker aboard one of the platforms working in the offshore oil industry, from the ocean and flew him to hospital.

Decker was released last week from the Health Sciences Centre.

RCMP investigators have been assisting the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, which is examining wreckage of the helicopter to determine a cause. Investigators have said their interests have included the gearbox, particularly a mounting stud that broke away in flight.

It is not known how Decker and another worker, Allison Maher, whose body was recovered shortly after the crash, wound up outside the chopper. 

"While the TSB [investigation] is ongoing, and since there are privacy concerns, the RCMP will not be in a position to recount his story," Newell said.

The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board said Wednesday it is launching a separate inquiry into issues of worker safety.

Sean Kelly, who speaks for the board, said such an inquiry is mandatory, and that the board is now working out details.

"We still have to select the commissioner, so we have to have some discussion with that person as to when they could begin the work," he said. "We also need to look at the resources that the commissioner would require, as well."