KAPAL TERBANG RINGAN TERHEMPAS DI SIMUNJAN

KUCHING, Jan 24 (Bernama) — A light aircraft crashed into jungle in Sungai Ladong, Simunjan, in Samarahan Sunday, killing the pilot and injuring a surgeon who was also on board, police said.

Simunjan police chief DSP Choo Yin Kok identified the pilot as Stanley Tiong, 61, and the surgeon as Dr Ngu Siu Kong, 58, of the Normah Medical Specialist Centre here.

He said the police rushed two officers and 18 men to the spot after villagers called to inform about the crash at 9am and found the plane caught in the trees.

Dr Ngu was still in the aircraft when the search-and-rescue team got there but fell to the ground suddenly and sustained injuries, he told Bernama when contacted.

Choo could not give details of the aircraft route and flight time but Bernama learnt that the plane was on a flight from Kuching to Sibu when it crashed.

He said the Royal Malaysia Air Force (RMAF) was also involved in the SAR operation, with the use of a Nuri helicopter.

Meanwhile, an ambulance of the armed forces medical centre at the Kuching airbase brought Tiong’s body and Dr Ngu to the Sarawak General Hospital at 1.40pm. Family members of Tiong and Dr Ngu were at the hospital.

After treatment at the hospital, Dr Ngu was taken to the Normah Medical Specialist Centre for further treatment.

He was reported to be in stable condition.

– BERNAMA