Health Ministry monitoring Long Lellang helicopter crash

KUCHING: Health Minister Datuk Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad has expressed deep sadness following an initial report that a Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) Flying Doctor Service (FDS) helicopter had crashed in Sarawak this afternoon.

He said the ministry is closely monitoring the situation and working closely with the relevant security authorities, rescue teams and aviation agencies to obtain accurate and up-to-date information from the scene.

“The search and rescue (SAR) team, together with medical personnel and the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), are at the incident location near the Long Lellang Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) Airport in Sarawak, and the operation is currently being carried out intensively.

“At the same time, the ministry is in the process of contacting the next of kin and family members of those involved to provide the necessary support,” he said in a statement today (Sept 8.

Dr Dzulkefly also urged the media and members of the public to refrain from making any speculation or disseminating unverified information out of respect for the feelings of the victims’ family members.

“Any further developments will be announced from time to time once official confirmation has been obtained from the authorities,” he said.