• Home

Two die in Dubai police copter crash

The helicopter was filming the Dubai Endurance Horse Race when the accident occurred.

According to police, the crash was the result of a technical malfunction. Dubai Police rescue units and Dubai Civil Defence vehicles rushed to the place, but by the time they arrived both were dead.

According to Major-General Nasser Al Sayed Abdel Razak, Assistant Commander in Chief of Dubai Police for Operations and Equipment Affairs, this was the first incident of a helicopter of Dubai Police Air Wing crashing like this. He told reporters yesterday that although a technical committee had been set up to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, he was sure that the accident was result of a technical fault. "The helicopter was accompanied by two other aircraft, a rescue chopper and another helicopter which also was filming the race. The Air Wing always takes part in such sports activities and in other events when asked. "The aircraft which crashed is one of a fleet of 11 choppers. This particular model is manufactured by the American Bell Helicopter Company and has been in service since the Air Wing's establishment," Maj-Gen. Abdul Razak said.

However, he said all Dubai Police aircraft were subject to regular maintenance conducted by a specialised company, adding that no pilot was allowed to take off on an assignment before a thorough check of his aircraft. Maj-Gen. Abdul Razak said the cameraman on board was covering the horse race for the Dubai Sports Channel. He worked for a Dubai-based company. Maj-General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, Maj-Gen. Sharafuddin Al Sayed Mohammed, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Criminal Investigation Affairs, and other senior officers of police and Civil Defence, visited the area of the crash.

• UAE