Emergency drill at the Sandakan airport
Published on: Friday, November 25, 2016
Sandakan: Eighteen passengers were 'saved', 14 'killed' and 18 others including flight crew 'sustained injuries' after an ATR flight from Tawau to Sandakan 'crashed' near the Sandakan airport here, Wednesday. The incident took place when the main left gear of the aircraft started to 'malfunction' during landing at about 11.30am. Prior to the 'incident', the pilot contacted the control tower and other agencies to alert them of the 'emergency' which was part of a drill on how to handle aircraft crash emergencies at the airport. ADVERTISEMENT A total of 150 officers and personnel from various agencies took part in the emergency drill among them staff and management of the Malaysia Airports Sdn Bhd, Airport Fire and Rescue Services, Department of Civil Aviation, Sandakan Fire and Rescue Department and the Malaysia Civil Defence Force.Also involved were those from the Sandakan Red Cross Association, Duchess of Kent Hospital medical team, and police, Fire and Rescue Volunteer Team and the St John's Ambulance. A total of 50 volunteers from all airport agencies including 36 Polytechnic Sandakan students came in as 'casualties'. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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"The emergency drill was conducted by Malaysia Airports to test and evaluate the effectiveness of Airport Emergency Procedures for aircraft emergencies," said Sandakan Airport Manager Che Sulaiman Che Pa.ADVERTISEMENT He said it was also to ensure all agencies at the airport are always well prepared in case of emergencies.