One dead as firefighting helicopter crashes into Indonesian river
Investigators are looking into the cause as wildfires continue to cover parts of South East Asia in haze.
Key points
- One Indonesian crew member died after a helicopter fell into a river in South Kalimantan
- Two other people on board, an Australian and a New Zealander, were found safe and taken to hospital
- Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency says investigations are ongoing and firefighting may continue
- Days earlier, another firefighting helicopter crashed in central Kalimantan, killing three crew members
A firefighting helicopter came down in a river in South Kalimantan, Indonesia, on Sunday, killing one crew member. Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency reported that the other two people aboard were located unharmed and transferred to a hospital for care.
The agency added that inquiries are continuing, and that its wider firefighting work may carry on despite the crash.
Details of the crash
Videos shared by Indonesia’s disaster authorities and widely circulated on social media show the aircraft hovering above the river. It was carrying a helicopter bucket, a collapsible container used to drop water onto fires. The aircraft then dropped into the water. Later footage shows rescuers reaching the partly submerged machine by boat.
Authorities named the dead crew member as Yayan Supyansuri. The two rescued men were identified as Michael John Betterridge, an Australian national, and Hugh Andrew John Page, a New Zealander.
A disaster official told AFP that the helicopter, a Super Puma H-225, belonged to a company that the disaster authorities had hired for the firefighting work.
A second crash in days
The accident follows another helicopter crash in central Kalimantan, which happened only days earlier during a firefighting mission. That incident killed three crew members. The military said on Saturday that it had recovered the black box from that helicopter, which could help investigators determine what went wrong.
No cause has been confirmed for either crash in the reports available so far.
Wildfires and toxic haze
Parts of Indonesia have been fighting wildfires for months. The fires burn in forests and peatlands, and they have been fed by a dry season that has been worsened by El Niño. Officials say the drought has made the blazes especially hard to control, even with intensive firefighting efforts.
The smoke has covered large areas of South East Asia. Cities across the islands of Kalimantan and Sumatra have been enveloped in toxic smog, which has turned the air amber. Hospitals in those areas have seen a rise in respiratory illnesses.
Smoke from the fires has also reached Malaysia and Singapore, where authorities have raised concerns for public health. Several foreign governments have sent help. Australia is one of them, sending planes and a group of 20 workers that includes flight crew and medical staff.
Why the story matters
The crashes show the risks faced by crews who fly low over fires and water to fight blazes. They also highlight how the wider wildfire emergency is placing strain on aircraft, crews and health services across the region. Investigations into both crashes are expected to shape how future firefighting flights are run.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the Indonesia helicopter crash?
A firefighting helicopter crashed into a river in South Kalimantan during a wildfire mission. One Indonesian crew member died, and two other people on board were rescued and taken to hospital.
Who were the people rescued from the helicopter?
The rescued men were named as Michael John Betterridge, an Australian national, and Hugh Andrew John Page, a New Zealander. Indonesiau0026#039;s disaster mitigation agency confirmed they were found safe.
Why are wildfires affecting South East Asia?
The fires in Indonesia have spread in forests and peatlands during a dry season made worse by El Niño. The smoke has drifted to Malaysia and Singapore, where it has raised public health concerns.
Sources
This article was written with the help of AI from reports by the outlets listed above. See our Editorial Policy. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
