SEMENYIH: Witnesses told rescuers that the helicopter exploded mid air before crashing. The search and rescue team who reached the site where a helicopter crashed here today found five bodies charred beyond recognition.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department director Othman Abdullah said the helicopter was on fire when they arrived at 5.20pm.

“We received information there were six people on board and we believe the sixth victim is pinned under the wreckage,” he said.

Othman said based on information received from villagers, the helicopter exploded mid air and crashed in the jungle.

“All the bodies may be sent to Serdang Hospital. We hope to bring out the bodies in an hour,” he said, adding that the crash site was about 20 to 30 square metres.

Meanwhile Bernama reported that a witness, Roslan Harun, 54, a security guard on duty near the scene, said the mishap occured during heavy rain.

“It exploded in mid-air, not so high from the ground. Then, the debris, tail and blades were thrown all over the place,” he told Bernama at the scene.

Roslan said he had wanted to enter the crash site to offer help and assistance, but changed his mind and called the Fire and Rescue Department instead.

He said the crash site was about 5 kilometre away from Kampung Sungai Pening or 13 km from the Semenyih town.

Another witness who wanted to be known only as Along, 42, said he was in his house in Kampung Sungai Pening, watching television when his nephew, 7, screaming, saying that he saw a plane exploded in mid-air.

“I rushed out of the house and saw a helicopter engulfed in thick smoke and it made three rounds before it went out of sight. This followed by an explosion,” he said.

So far, no bodies had been taken out of the crash site.