Remains of 5 Sarawak chopper crash victims handed over to families

The remains of the five victims of the Flying Doctor Service helicopter crash in Long Lellang, Ulu Baram, on Tuesday were handed over to their families this morning at Miri Hospital after their identities were confirmed through DNA analysis.

Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said his ministry had coordinated the transportation of the remains to their final resting places following official confirmation of their identities by the police and the chemistry department.

In a statement, he said the remains of medical officer Dr Ainul Baraah Kamarudin would be flown from Miri to Kota Bharu, Kelantan, on a Royal Malaysian Air Force aircraft before being buried at the Seri Kedeper Muslim cemetery at Kampung Baung, Pengkalan Chepa.

The remains of nurse Debra Moset will be laid to rest at Kampung Semadang, Padawan, tomorrow, while the remains of nurse Jessie Paya Jok will be taken to her family home today, with her funeral to be held at the BEM cemetery in Lambir, Miri, tomorrow.

The remains of assistant medical officer Alexson Adit Henry will be taken to his family home today, with the funeral scheduled for Tuesday at the Lambir Anglican cemetery in Miri.

Dzulkefly said the remains of pilot Zainol Afiq Bee Sham would be flown from Miri to KLIA on a Malaysia Airlines flight before being buried at the Forest Heights Muslim cemetery in Senawang, Negeri Sembilan.

He said the ministry would continue to strengthen its strategic cooperation with the fire and rescue department to support the smooth implementation of medical evacuation operations following the temporary suspension of the Flying Doctor Service to facilitate investigations, review, and a comprehensive assessment.

Layang-Layang Aerospace grounded its BO-105 helicopters and other aircraft equipped with Rolls-Royce 250 engines following the crash.