Police Helicopter Crash In Johor Stuns Journalists

ISKANDAR PUTERI, July 10 (Bernama) -- Two media practitioners on duty were stunned after witnessing a Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) helicopter crash in the waters of Sungai Pulai, Gelang Patah this morning.

Both journalists described the incident as unforgettable and hoped it would never happen again.

Muhammad Aiman Hakeem Awazmin, 27, from Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) Johor, was covering the Multilateral Nuclear Security Detection Exercise (MITSATOM 2025) at the Maritime Jetty in Sungai Pulai, when the incident occurred.

He said the crash brought back memories of two years ago, when he boarded the same type of helicopter during a media assignment.

“Until now, I can still vividly see the image of the helicopter plunging straight into the river. It happened right before my eyes.

“I once flew in the same type of helicopter during a flood coverage assignment in Kluang two years ago. Watching it nosedive and crash into the water was traumatising. It was one of the scariest experiences I’ve had as a journalist,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mohd Hazrol Zainal, 31, a part-time photographer with Bernama Johor, never expected to witness such an incident while on assignment.

“I was shocked. I was taking pictures of the maritime vessels lined up during a salute parade, and the helicopter was performing manoeuvres above.

“Suddenly, the helicopter plunged and crashed. Everyone was shocked and stunned,” he said.

The AS355 helicopter crashed while performing a flypast as part of a demonstration during the MITSATOM 2025 exercise, which involved four countries; Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) in a statement confirmed that the accident occurred at 9.51 am, involving a PDRM AS355N helicopter with registration number 9M-PHG.

According to CAAM, the helicopter departed from the Tanjung Kupang Police Station at 9.51 am and was carrying five passengers, including the pilot.

Two of the five police personnel in the helicopter are reported to be in critical condition and require respiratory assistance. Both are now receiving treatment at Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) in Johor Bahru.

-- BERNAMA