KUCHING: All five victims of the Long Lellang helicopter crash died from burn injuries, says Sarawak police commissioner Comm Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah (pic).
He said the cause of death was verified by post-mortem examinations conducted at Hospital Miri, which were completed at 7.30pm on Thursday.
“(The cause of death was) severe burn injuries due to the helicopter crash,” he said when contacted yesterday.
The Flying Doctor Service (FDS) helicopter crashed near the Long Lellang Short Take-Off and Landing Airport on Sept 8, killing everyone on board.
The victims have been identified as pilot Capt Zainol Afiq Bee Sham, 30, Dr Ainul Baraah Kamaruddin, 33; assistant medical officer Alexson Adit Henry, 31; and staff nurses Debra Moset, 40; and Jessie Paya Jok, 44.
Their remains were recovered from the crash site on Wednesday and flown to Hospital Miri for the post-mortem procedures.
DNA samples from all five victims have been sent to the Chemistry Department for identification.
Previously, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said all FDS operations in Sarawak would be suspended temporarily for safety reviews and investigations into the fatal Long Lellang crash.
“All FDS operations in Sarawak have been temporarily suspended to allow the relevant parties to conduct investigations and review safety and operational mechanisms,” he said.
He said the ministry would work with the Fire and Rescue Department to provide medical evacuation services for emergency cases during the suspension.
Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin has also called for a review of aviation safety for FDS operations.
He said the ministry was working with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia to boost aviation safety awareness among medical personnel serving rural communities.
