Helicopter carrying medical team crashes in Malaysia; pilot and four others missing

KUALA LUMPUR: A helicopter carrying five people, including medical personnel, crashed near an airport in Sarawak on the island of Borneo in Malaysia. There has been no confirmation yet on whether anyone was killed in the accident. The helicopter was part of Malaysia’s Flying Doctor Service, which provides medical care to people in remote areas.

Malaysian Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the helicopter was carrying a pilot and four Health Department staff members. The medical team included a medical officer, an assistant medical officer and two nurses.

The Flying Doctor Service uses aircraft and helicopters to provide medical services, emergency treatment and patient transportation to people living in remote and isolated areas. The condition of those on board and the exact cause of the crash remain unclear.

Rescue and search operations involving fire and rescue teams, medical personnel and other agencies are underway. The Malaysian Civil Aviation Authority said it received information in the evening that the helicopter had crashed near the Long Lelang Short Take-Off and Landing Airport in Sarawak. The Air Accident Investigation Bureau, under the Ministry of Transport, has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.