RAK ruler orders investigation into fatal helicopter crash
Three Emiratis and a foreigner were killed in the crash, which took place during a search and rescue operation near Jebel Jais
Four people were killed following a helicopter crash at Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah.
According to the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the Agusta 139 helicopter was conducting a search and rescue mission near Jebel Jais, the UAE’s highest mountain, when the incident took place at approximately 5.30pm on Saturday.
Quoting unnamed officials, local media has reported that the helicopter struck the 2.8 kilometre long zipline on Jebel Jais.
Four people - three Emiratis and a foreigner - have been confirmed dead.
WAM news agency has identified the dead as pilots Saqr Saeed Mohammed Abdullah Alyamahi and Hameed Mohamed Obaid AlZa’abi, navigator Jasim Abdullah Ali Tunaiji and medic Mark Roxburgh.
Video taken by eyewitnesses at the scene shows the red and white helicopter spinning rapidly as it lost altitude before bursting into a ball of flames.
Very sad news to share helicopter crash at #jabaljais #rasalkhaimah #RAKpic.twitter.com/a7ssO15dUn— Muhammad Asad Iqbal (@masad2k) December 29, 2018
According to the RAK Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), no injuries were reported among the public or staff members on Jebel Jais and that the facilities were not damaged.
Helicopters are frequently used in search and rescue operations in Ras Al Khaimah, with several incidents having occurred in the popular Jebel Jais area in the last year alone.
Earlier in December, RAK authorities said that the RAK Police air wing flew a total of 108 rescue missions in 2018.
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