Emotions run high at Rimba airbase

Hakim Hayat, Siti Hajar, Aziz Idris, Fadhil Yunus, Danial Norjidi & Syafiq Affendy

 

File photo of a Bell helicopter. - DEAN KASSIM

 

 

Some of the deceased were transported to the Ministry of Defence surau at Bolkiah Garrison at Friday midnight where their last rites were performed. Following this, the caskets holding the remains of the deceased were claimed by their respective family members before their burials. - HJ MINOR ABSAH

Tragedy struck the nation on the eve of Ramadhan when a Bell 212 Helicopter carrying 14 Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) personnel crashed in Ulu Belait, claiming the lives of 10 people and injuring two others. Another two people are still missing.

The names of the deceased, survivors and those missing had not been confirmed by the RBAF at press time. According to a spokesperson, the names will only be released once all the bodies have been identified.

The bodies of the 10 victims were transported to the Royal Brunei Airforce Base in Kg Rimba last night, while the two survivors were rushed to the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital to receive medical attention. Hospital officials said they were in a stable condition.

Family members of victims told the Borneo Bulletin they had received calls informing them of the tragedy at about 6pm yesterday. Most of them rushed to the RIPAS Hospital after learning of the incident but were re-directed to the Rimba Airbase by officials.

Following the incident, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to give his support to families of the deceased. The monarch sent his message of condolences and comforted grieving families waiting at the Royal Brunei Airforce Base last night. Around 7pm at the Airforce Base Helipad, three Medi-Vac (Rescue) helicopters were seen landing, carrying the bodies of the victims wrapped in a white cloth. The bodies were quickly transported to a surau at the airbase for identification by family members.

As the sounds of the engine of the rescue helicopters reverberated across the airbase, family members and relatives were seen waiting anxiously for the news of their loved ones. Emotions ran high when the names of the deceased were announced.

Also present at the Airbase were Dato Paduka Awang Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat, the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin, Commander of the RBAF and other senior officials from MinDef and RBAF.

His Majesty, accompanied by His Royal Highness Second Lieutenant Prince 'Abdul Mateen, witnessed the scene when the bodies were transported in and offered his last respects by joining in special prayers with families of the deceased.

Shortly after speaking with and comforting family members at the airbase, His Majesty headed to the RIPAS Hospital to meet the two survivors and their families.

Earlier this year, a RBAF helicopter Bell 212 was involved in an accident while landing in the vicinity of Bukit Belalong, Temburong District. The aircraft was doing a routine task on February 28, 2012 when the accident occurred around 9.46am. It was not carrying any passengers other than three crew members, including the pilot. The pilot and one crew member were unhurt, while another sustained minor injuries which did not require further medical treatment.

The Bell 212 has been the workhorse of the Royal Brunei Air Force. Apart from being involved in military exercises, it was also pressed into service to deal with bushfires in 2009.

The Ministry of Defence announced on November 15, 2011 the contract award for the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Support Helicopter Project to Sikorsky International Operations Incorporated, USA.

The delivery of the 12 S-70i Black Hawk helicopters will replace the current fleet of Bell 212 helicopters and enhance the Royal Brunei Air Force's rotary wing capabilities in air mobility, Search and Rescue (SAR) and enhance surveillance of Brunei's waters and borders.

One of the focus areas that were identified in Defence White Paper was the immediate upgrade of its medium-lift helicopters (Bell 212), which have been serving the RBAirF for the past three decades.

Borneo Bulletin Weekend - July 21, 2012 - Saturday.