Bentong: Police have established the identity of the victim killed in the incident that saw a Bell 206L4 helicopter catching fire while landing to refuel here this morning. Bentong district police chief Supt Zaiham Mohd Kahar identified him as Finsen Resky Sembiring, 27, an Indonesian engineer.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the victim, who was at the landing site, is believed to have been killed by the helicopter’s rotor blade after it lost control while hovering three feet above the ground during refueling. This caused the aircraft’s skid to scrape against the landing surface before overturning and catching fire. Another victim, a 44-year-old Indonesian pilot identified as Kustiyadi, sustained minor injuries.

The helicopter had been carrying out work for Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) for the past six days, flying from the project site about 16 kilometres from the location of the accident. It had permission to use the area at the campsite to refuel. A 38-year-old local security guard, who was in the guardhouse about 100 metres from the landing site, managed to save the pilot by pulling him out of the burning aircraft. Two witnesses have been identified, including the security guard, who is considered a key witness. Authorities are awaiting results from the police forensic team and the Air Accident Investigation Bureau.

Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman noted that initial investigations revealed the helicopter, owned by Zaveryna Utama from Indonesia and registered in Malaysia, was believed to be used for transporting construction materials for TNB’s electrical poles. Approximately six trips were made from January 21, although no construction materials were being transported at the time of the incident, as the helicopter was about to begin operations.

A check by Bernama found police officers securing the site to prevent public access, especially from the nearby campsite. Media practitioners are only allowed within 100 metres of the wreckage. The victim’s body was taken to Bentong Hospital after the police forensic unit completed its investigation at the scene.

Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail conveyed condolences to the victim’s family via a Facebook post, expressing gratitude to the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department, the Royal Malaysia Police, the Health Department personnel, and all parties involved in the operation.