PETALING JAYA: The 58-year-old pilot who was involved in the helicopter crash near Bidoh succumbed to his injuries despite being found alive, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
“I have now received a report that the victim, who was rescued from the helicopter crash site in Kg Kenangan, Perak, had sadly passed away due to the severity of his injuries,” he said in a Facebook posting yesterday.
According to Dr Wee, the victim was found at the crash site at 8.18am.
“However, we were informed the victim had reportedly lost consciousness during the rescue,” he said.
Earlier, Perak police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri revealed the victim had been identified as Tsz Kin Richard Chan from Hong Kong.
In a separate statement, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) said the Eurocopter EC120B, registration marking N409HH, had been found by the Air Force (RMAF) helicopter, RESCUE01.
“The wreckage and victim were found near Kampung Kenangan, Bidor at 8.18am.
“Combat Air Rescue (CAR), RMAF was on the ground to assist in transporting the victim from the wreckage.
“RESCUE01 airlifted the victim and landed at the Anderson School Field at 10.30am before being transported by ambulance to the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, Ipoh, Perak,” the statement read.
The victim, however, lost consciousness during the rescue mission despite best efforts to revive him, added CAAM.
“The following investigation will be conducted by the Air Accident Investigation Bureau under the Ministry of Transport in accordance with Part XXVI Civil Aviation Regulations 2016,” it added.
On Sunday, the helicopter, with a single pilot on board, was said to have lost contact with Kuala Lumpur Air Traffic Control Centre (KLATCC) at 12.16pm.
The aircraft took off from the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang at 11.37am for a private flight and was scheduled to land at the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport, Ipoh, at 12.37pm.
The helicopter was operated by Heli Outpost Sdn Bhd.
