By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 9: The five people who died in the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) helicopter crash near Long Lellang in Ulu Baram have been identified, with three of the victims from Sarawak.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said the victims were pilot Captain Zainol Afiq Bee Sham, 30; medical officer Dr Ainul Baraah Kamaruddin, 33; medical assistant Alexson Adit Henry, 31; staff nurse Debra Moset, 40; and staff nurse Jessie Paya Jok, 44.
He said Alexson, Debra and Jessie were Sarawak residents, while Zainol was from Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, and Dr Ainul was from Kota Bharu, Kelantan.
The five were aboard a BO-105 helicopter, registered as 9M-LLF, which crashed near the end of the runway at the Long Lellang Short Take-Off and Landing airport (STOLport) at about 3.21pm yesterday while attempting to land.
“The victims were found inside the wreckage, which had crashed and caught fire.
“Their identities were initially established through personal belongings found on the bodies, but official identification will be carried out through DNA testing,” Mohamad Zainal said in a statement today.
He said the five bodies had been flown to Miri Hospital for post-mortem examinations and DNA testing.
The helicopter had departed from Miri at 10.21am and landed at Ba’ Lai at 11.39am to carry out an FDS assignment.
It then flew to Long Siut, Selungo, arriving at 1.50pm to refuel before continuing to Long Lellang, where the crew was scheduled to spend the night.
The helicopter was due to resume its FDS assignment in Tanjong Durian today.
Following the crash, an Emergency Operation Centre was activated at Miri Airport, while security forces and relevant agencies were mobilised to the site to conduct search and rescue operations, establish the condition of the victims and carry out further action.
Mohamad Zainal said the operation involved 67 personnel from the police, Fire and Rescue Department, Health Ministry, Malaysia Airports, Layang-Layang Aerospace, Civil Defence Force, General Operations Force and RELA.
The operation was supported by four aircraft and five four-wheel-drive vehicles.
The Air Accident Investigation Bureau under the Transport Ministry is expected to investigate the crash. — DayakDaily
