‘Flying doctor’ helicopter crash in Malaysia kills 5 people
Search operations at the crash site in Sarawak were complicated by hazy conditions, with rescuers barred from using air services
Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad in a statement said initial information showed a pilot and four ministry staff were aboard the chopper that crashed near Sarawak state’s Long Lellang short take-off and landing airport. Among them were a medical officer, an assistant medical officer and two nurses on official duty, he said.
A disaster management committee official in Miri, Sarawak, confirmed to state news agency Bernama that all five aboard died in the crash.
A flying doctor service typically uses aircraft to provide medical care, emergency transport and clinical services to rural or isolated regions.
The civil aviation authority said the transport ministry’s air accident investigations bureau was investigating the incident.
