Indonesia’s Nationwide Catastrophe Administration Company (BNPB) advised the outlet the Tremendous Puma H225 plane was conducting water-bombing operations when it plunged into the river. Video circulating on-line appeared to indicate the helicopter hovering over the water earlier than dropping altitude and nosediving.
Web page and Betterridge had been rescued from the river and brought to an Indonesian Air Drive hospital for therapy.
BNPB spokesperson Berton Panjaitan stated each males had been discovered “in good well being” and their households had been contacted.
The accident occurred as Indonesia battles one among its most important wildfire seasons in years. Forest and peatland fires have burned throughout elements of Kalimantan, Sumatra and Papua, producing haze that has affected air high quality throughout the area, the BBC reported.
Indonesian authorities stated the helicopter had been contracted to assist firefighting operations. The plane has been moved to the riverbank as investigators work to find out what triggered the crash.
Panjaitan stated it was too early to invest on what led to the accident. BNPB stated it could assist an official investigation and undertake a broader overview of aviation security in firefighting operations.
The crash comes lower than per week after one other firefighting helicopter went down in Central Kalimantan, killing three Indonesian crew members, in accordance with the BBC. The plane was additionally concerned in water-loading operations on the time of the accident.
New Zealand’s Ministry of Overseas Affairs and Commerce has been contacted for remark.
The crash follows two current abroad helicopter accidents involving New Zealanders. Earlier this month, a New Zealander was injured in a helicopter collision whereas touchdown in Nepal’s Everest area, an accident that killed an Indian nationwide.
In September, New Zealand pilot Greg King died throughout a wildfire-fighting operation in California’s Yosemite Nationwide Park when his helicopter crashed whereas conducting a water-bombing mission.