INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
A Bell 212 helicopter belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) crashed into the Maduru Oya reservoir this morning (May 9), claiming the
lives of six personnel from the Sri Lanka Army and Air Force.The SLAF stated that the aircraft was attempting an emergency landing when the
07 Squadron at SLAF Base Hingurakgoda, had taken off from the Hingurakgoda Air Force Base approximately at 06.46 a.m
Its mission was to transport soldiers for a demonstration at the passing out parade of the Special Forces at the Maduru Oya Army Training
School.According to the SLAF, six Army personnel boarded the helicopter at around 07.08 a.m
Shortly after, the aircraft encountered a technical issue after takeoff for the Heli-Rappelling demonstration, prompting the pilots to
initiate an emergency landing
The helicopter subsequently crashed into the Maduru Oya reservoir.Rescue operations were immediately launched by Air Force and Army
All 12 individuals were initially rescued and admitted to the Aralaganwila Regional Hospital
Eight were later transferred to the Polonnaruwa General Hospital for further treatment.Despite medical efforts, six soldiers succumbed to
The deceased include four Army Special Forces personnel and two members of the Air Force.Air Force Commander Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe
has appointed a nine-member committee to conduct a thorough investigation into the crash.
