MIRI: A pilot, a doctor, a medical assistant and two nurses were on board the medical helicopter that crashed while landing at Long Lelang Airport on Tuesday afternoon (Sept 8).
According to preliminary information sighted by the Sarawak Tribune, the Layang Layang-operated aircraft crashed at the end of Runway 04 at about 3.32 pm.
The aircraft, bearing registration number 9M-LLF and identified as a BO105C, was reportedly operating a flying doctor services (FDS) flight on the Miri-Ba Lai-Long Siut-Long Lelang sector.
The five individuals believed to have been on board were Captain Zainol, Dr Ainul, medical assistant Alexson Adit, and nurses Debra Moset and Jessie Paya.
Their identities, however, have yet to be officially confirmed by the relevant authorities.
Personnel at Long Lelang Airport alerted the Miri Airport operations team to the incident at about 3.36 pm, with an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) subsequently activated in Miri at 3.40 pm.
Relevant airport units, including Aviation Security (AVSEC) and the Airport Fire and Rescue Service (AFRS), were also alerted.
Villagers in Long Lelang and members of the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) were reported to have assisted at the scene, while Ministry of Health (MOH) personnel also arrived to provide assistance.
The Air Fire and Rescue Department was contacted to assist with firefighting operations, while the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) in Miri was also notified.
Personnel at the scene later reported five casualties at about 4.50 pm.
However, the condition of those on board has yet to be officially confirmed by the relevant authorities as of press time.
Further details are expected from the authorities.
