NEW ZEALAND PILOT STILL UNDERGOING MEDICAL TREATMENT ON SERAM ISLAND

Ambon, Sept. 26 (ANTARA) - A New Zealand pilot identified as Samuel whose helicopter crashed at Kobisonta village, Seram Island, Central Maluku District, last September 22, is still undergoing intensive medical treatment at Bula General Hospital, Eastern Seram District, for a serious wound on his head.

The helicopter belonging to an oil drilling company, had an accident when transporting a cargo net, Commissioner Amin Keliwawa, head of the Eastern Seram Police , said on Friday.
The helicopter fell from an altitude of 60 meters when the pilot was trying to make an emergency landing on a spot 100 meters from the dropping zone, he said.
Commissioner Keliwawa quoted the pilot as saying that while he was waiting for workers on the helipad to release the cargo net, he suddenly sensed the helicopter was losing power, and therefore he decided to make an emergency landing.
The SA 31555AMA PK-IWZ-type helicopter's propellers broke and its body was damaged in the emergency landing.
Samuel suffered a profusely bleeding injury on his head and was immediately rushed to Bula General Hospital.
Two oil drilling companies are currently operating on Seram Island, namely Citio Seram Energi Limited (CSEL) and Kalrez Petroleum.