ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A military helicopter carrying wounded soldiers crash-landed in Madalum, Lanao del Sur on Thursday.
Capt. Clint Antipala, spokesman for the Army’s First Infantry Tabak Division, said the UH-1D helicopter of the Tactical Operation Wing was conducting medical evacuation of four soldiers wounded in a bomb explosion when the engine malfunctioned, prompting an emergency landing at about 5 p.m.
One of the wounded soldiers died while a crew of the helicopter was injured.
“The rest of the passengers are safe and the two pilots were unhurt,” Antipala said.
He said the wounded troopers are personnel of the 55th Infantry Battalion who were hit when an improvised explosive device went off at about 9 a.m on the same day.
“We have done everything to save our wounded soldiers the fastest way we can through our air assets. Unfortunately the incident happened,” Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, Tabak Division and Joint Task Force ZamPeLan commander, said. – John Unson