Minister’s son cheats death

Melaka deputy police chief Shah Gzali Khan Shahadat said the search for the crashed aircraft will continue today.

MELAKA:  Sarawak federal Minister Nancy Shukri’s son escaped injuries and death when a aircraft he was co-piloting crashed into the Straits of Melaka near Pulau Melaka yesterday.

Fairol Kamail, 23, pilot Capt Shar Rom, 27 and trainee Soh Sien Shong 22  were in a Piper PA-28 aircraft belonging to the Malaysia Flying Academy when it crashed.

Soh, who was seated at the rear portion of the aircraft, suffered bruises and Shar suffered an injury to her forehead while Fairol did not suffer any.

They were on a training exercise when it crashed after taking off from the Batu Berendam Airport at 7pm. The incident occurred at 8.26pm incident.

All three were taken to the Melaka Hospital for treatment.

Jalan Kubu Fire and Rescue Department chief Yazid Mohd Tahir when met by reporters said the station received a distress call at 8.41pm and arrived at the scene shortly with a boat and 15 divers.

Yazid said Shar and Soh managed to swim about 400m to reach the shore before seeking help from the congregation at the Masjid Selat mosque where incidentally Melaka Chief Minister Idris Haron was also present.

He said the search and rescue operation was able to locate Fairol who was found near the site of the wreckage at 9.30pm.

“When we arrived at the location where the aircraft had crashed, Fairoz was seen floating but not holding on to anything, except a torchlight to indicate his location,” he said.

Meanwhile, Melaka deputy police chief Shah Gzali Khan Shahadat said the search for the aircraft would continue tomorrow as the search and rescue operation was called off at 11pm tonight.

-Bernama