SAR chopper crashes into the sea during training

SEMARANG: A National Search and Rescue Agency helicopter crashed into the sea off Marina Beach in Semarang, Central Java, during a training drill Wednesday.

One of the three passengers and two crew aboard suffered broken shoulders.

Slamet Riyadi, head of the agency's Semarang office said the SAR officials were performing a "free jump" training exercise when the chopper, hovering less than 10 meters above the water, suddenly dropped.

Slamet said the authorities were still investigating the incident.

"The aircraft was in good condition and the weather was fine *at the time of the crash*," he said.

He added the agency had been training 44 officers in Semarang. He said the agency had not yet decided whether to continue training following the incident. - JP