Helicopter crash in Sarawak kills pilot and 4 medical staff on ‘flying doctor’ service
Malaysia's government will provide assistance and support to families of the victims in Tuesday's (Sep 8) crash, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
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LONG LELLANG, Sarawak: Malaysia's government will provide the necessary assistance and support to families of the five people killed in a helicopter crash in northern Sarawak on Tuesday (Sep 8), Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said.
The pilot, a medical officer, an assistant medical officer and two nurses were killed after a Flying Doctor Service helicopter crashed near the Long Lellang STOLport (short take-off and landing airport) in Marudi district in the East Malaysian state.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Anwar said he was saddened by the news.
“My thoughts and prayers, as well as (my wife) Azizah’s, are with the families of all the victims as they go through this extremely difficult time," he said.
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“May they be given strength and resilience. I urge everyone to give the families space and refrain from speculation while awaiting verified information from the authorities."
A team from the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) was set to arrive in Miri on Wednesday to assist with investigations, said Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) chief executive officer Norazman Mahmud.
Long Lellang village is about 310km from Miri, its closest major city, and about 930km from the Sarawak state capital Kuching.
"The helicopter wreckage at the crash site will remain undisturbed following instructions from the AAIB ... the site has been cordoned off and secured,” Norazman was quoted as saying by local news outlet the New Straits Times (NST).
The authorities will resume search and recovery operations at the site on Wednesday, he added.
A "flying doctor" service typically uses aircraft to provide medical care, emergency transport and clinical services to rural or isolated regions.
According to initial information from the Miri Airport Fire and Rescue Services (AFRS), the helicopter crashed near the end of the airstrip at Long Lellang at about 3.40pm, news outlet The Star reported.
Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad confirmed the healthcare personnel who died had been on official duty.
The doctor has been identified as Ainul Baraah Kamaruddin from Kelantan. Her sister-in-law, Nureez Mohd Pauzi, confirmed Ainul’s death in a Facebook post following the crash. Another victim has been identified as Zainol Afiq Bee Sham. The remaining victims' identities are not yet known.
Norazman said the police would manage the identification and investigation process at Miri Hospital, including comparing the victims' DNA with that of their families.
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