Miri Resident confirms 5 dead in Sarawak chopper crash

The identities of the deceased have not been released.

Miri Resident and Miri divisional disaster management committee chairman Galong Luang confirmed the deaths when contacted by the Borneo Post.

“Unfortunately, all five onboard are deceased, as confirmed by reports from the fire and rescue department and health ministry,” he said.

He said the identities of the deceased had not been released.

The BO-105 helicopter, which was operating a Flying Doctor Service flight, was flying from Miri Airport to Long Lellang when it crashed near the Long Lellang STOLport.

Galong said the fire and rescue department had approved the use of an MI-17 helicopter to retrieve the victims’ remains.

He said the operation would depend on weather conditions and instructions from aviation and other relevant authorities.

The mission will be led by Marudi police chief Nor Aizan Jamil, who will also oversee investigations into the crash.

Galong said the victims’ remains were expected to be brought back to Miri on the same trip, with the helicopter likely to land at Miri airport rather than the helipad at Miri Hospital.

The Miri Resident is the senior government administrative officer responsible for coordinating the administration and disaster response efforts in Miri.

Earlier today, health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the four passengers on board the helicopter were ministry personnel on official duty, comprising a medical officer, a medical assistant and two nurses.

The Flying Doctor Service (FDS) team involved in the crash was part of a programme to provide healthcare to residents in remote areas of Sarawak.

Introduced in the state in 1973, the FDS delivers medicines and vaccines through regular visits and carries out medical evacuations for critically ill patients.

The service currently covers 97 remote localities in Kapit, Miri and Limbang, many of which are difficult to access and far from adequate road networks, reported Bernama.

Visits are generally conducted monthly, although some locations are visited every two months, depending on operational capacity.

Each FDS team typically comprises a doctor, nurses and an assistant medical officer to provide comprehensive care to residents in remote communities.