Friday March 22, 2013

Baby dies after radio-controlled helicopter goes rogue at event

By SARBAN SINGH
sarbans@thestar.com.my

Gimmick gone wrong: The wreckage of the radio-controlled miniature helicopter involved in the incident. (Inset): Nurdamia, who was slashed in the head by the blades of the helicopter. She died shortly after being admitted to hospital.

SEREMBAN: A radio-controlled miniature helicopter crashed into a crowd and killed an 18-month-old girl in a freak accident that marred the official opening of the country's first synthetic football pitch here.

Little Nurdamia Hisnina was in her father's arms when the helicopter, which was being flown as a gimmick in the event on Wednesday night, flew through the crowd at the Paroi Sports Complex and slashed her head with its blades.

Banee Yamin Idris, 35, who works in the Attorney-General's office here, suffered cuts on the head and was treated at the Tuanku Ja'afar Hospital here.

Police have called the flyer of the helicopter to give his statement on the incident.

Banee Yamin: ‘Nurdamia was asleep on my shoulder when I saw the out-of-control helicopter heading towards us at top speed.’

Banee Yamin said he took the toddler, along with his wife and two other children, aged six and 11, to watch the event at the sports complex as it was just about 500m from their home.

The incident happened at around 10pm, at the tail-end of the event, which was officiated by Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

“Nurdamia was asleep on my shoulder when I saw the out-of-control helicopter heading towards us at top speed.

“It happened so quickly that I could not duck or hide for cover,” said the toddler's father when met at the hospital mortuary.

“Although my vision was blurred and my face covered in blood, all I could think of was my family's safety,” he said, adding that he rushed Nurdamia to an ambulance that was stationed at the sports complex for the event.

“She was bleeding and was un-conscious,” he sobbed, adding that the toddler died shortly after being admitted to the hospital.

The Mentri Besar has ordered the state government to immediately investigate the incident and visited the family at the hospital to offer his condolences.

Seremban OCPD Asst Comm Saiful Azly Kamaruddin said that besides hauling in the 40-year-old owner of the helicopter, police had seized the helicopter and related equipment.

The case has been classified as death by negligence.

News

Friday March 22, 2013

Baby dies after radio-controlled helicopter goes rogue at event

By SARBAN SINGH sarbans@thestar.com.my

By SARBAN SINGH
sarbans@thestar.com.my