KUCHING: Police have sent a search and rescue team following a helicopter crash near the Long Lellang STOLport in Sarawak on Tuesday (Sept 8).
Sarawak Police Commissioner Comm Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said the status of all five people on board could not be confirmed yet.
"The helicopter belonged to a private company and was hired for a Flying Doctor Service from Miri to Ba Lai, Long Siut and Long Lellang in Marudi, Sarawak," he said in a statement.
Comm Zainal said the crash site was in a remote location about 10 hours' drive from Marudi.
"Air services using helicopter cannot be used at the moment because of hazy conditions and the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has not permitted flights from the Kuching police air base.
"The search and rescue operation currently depends on assistance from local villagers, Rela personnel and Long Lellang STOLport auxiliary police," he added.
Comm Zainal advised the public not to speculate on the crash and allow investigations to proceed.
