The MD 500 PK-IWS helicopter was carrying three people when it crashed about 200 meters from the city`s coastal dike at 08.15 a.m.
It was raining when the joint team comprising officers of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the Police and the Navy removed the wreckage of the helicopter owned by PT Intan Angkasa Air Service from the crash site, an ANTARA journalist observed.
"It was strongly believed that the helicopter with three people aboard crashed as it flew at a low altitude so its skip touched water and it later exploded," Southeast Sulawesi Provincial Police spokesman Adjunct Chief Commissioner Fahrurozzi said.
Eyewitness Azis said he saw the helicopter flying at a low altitude before it crashed at the sea.
The three were identified as Gunawan, pilot, Lukman, manager of Plaza In Hotel in Kendari, and Kikin, employee of the local transportation office.
Both Gunawan and Kikin sustained serious injuries while Lukman was injured on his left temple. They are all receiving intensive medical treatment at the Bhayangkara hospital here.
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Editor: Bambang
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
