Helicopter carrying medical team crashes near Brinchang

Five members of a medical team, including a doctor, were found safe with light injuries after the helicopter they were on crashed while attempting an emergency landing in a forested area near Brinchang, Cameron Highlands, early this afternoon.  

A Pahang and Fire Rescue Department spokesman said the pilot of the private helicopter, known as "Capt Pedro", escaped injury. 

He said following a search and rescue operation, the victims were found safe at 3.51pm. 

"The victims have been given early treatment," the spokesman said, adding that one of them had suffered a broken leg. 

The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) earlier said it had received word of an air crash in Cameron Highlands involving an Airbus AS 355 F2 helicopter with the registration number 9M-SSW at 1.03pm.

CAAM CEO Chester Voo said in a statement that the helicopter carrying a pilot and five passengers had taken off from Kampung Gawin in Kelantan for Tanjung Rambutan, Perak at 12.20pm. 

The aircraft was operated by Layang Layang Aerospace Sdn Bhd. 

Voo said further investigations will be handled by the transport ministry’s Air Crash Investigation Bureau.