Sarawak police close final chapter as Long Lellang crash victims return to families

Miri, Sept 12 — All five victims of the September 8 helicopter crash in Long Lellang have been returned to their families, announced Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah. The final stage involved sorting through the victims' personal belongings for return to their families. "Alhamdulillah, we have completed our duties and handed everything over to the families," the police chief stated outside Miri Hospital mortuary.

Two victims will be flown to Peninsular Malaysia, while the other three will be buried in Miri and Kuching. Layang-Layang Aerospace Sdn Bhd will manage flight arrangements and related logistics. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Air Accident Investigation Bureau, with the police classifying the incident as a Sudden Death Report (SDR).

Police have recorded statements from 19 witnesses so far. The helicopter, operated by the Flying Doctor Service, crashed at Long Lellang STOLport around 3:40pm on September 8, claiming the lives of pilot Capt Zainol Afiq Bee Sham, medical officer Dr Ainul Baraah Kamaruddin, assistant medical officer Alexson Adit Henry, and nurses Debra Moset and Jessie Paya Jok.

Dr Ainul's remains are set to fly to Kelantan, while Capt Zainol's remains will be flown to Kuala Lumpur tomorrow. Debra's remains will be airlifted to Kuching at around 9 am. Dr Ainul is expected to be buried in Kota Bharu's Sri Kedeper Muslim Cemetery, Capt Zainol will be taken to his home state of Negeri Sembilan, Alexson Adit to the Anglican Cemetery in Lambir, and Jessie Paya to the Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM) cemetery in Lambir.

Debra's remains are expected to be transported to her family home in Kampung Semadang, Padawan, Kuching.