BNPB water-bombing helicopter crashes into Barito River, 3 crew survive

The Super Puma VH-HGM helicopter contracted by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) crashed into the Barito River in Tabatan Village, Kuripan District, Barito Kuala Regency, South Kalimantan, on Sunday (8/11) at about 11:58 WITA. The helicopter was carrying out a water-bombing operation to fight forest and land fires. An initial BNPB report said the helicopter lost control while maneuvering after taking on water with a bambi bucket. All three crew members, Michael John Betteridge, Hugh Andrew John, and Yayan, survived and were evacuated. The helicopter unit has also been moved to the riverbank, while BNPB is still compiling a full chronology and the exact cause of the crash.