Navy helicopter crashes in Surin, nine killed
Nine naval personnel were killed when their Bell 214 helicopter crashed into a rice field in the northeastern province of Surin yesterday, the Royal Thai Navy said.
Rear Admiral Ruangthip Thienthon said the helicopter was one of two on a routine training flight from Ubon Ratchathani to U Tapao naval base in Chon Buri when it crashed in Surin's Rattanaburi district at about 11.45am. Witnesses on the other aircraft saw smoke coming from the rear engine before the helicopter crashed and exploded, Ruangthip said. The bodies were taken to U Tapao naval base. The two pilots were Commander Tossapol Thumwong and Lt-Commander Passakorn Rakwong. The seven passengers were: Lieutenant Jitruti Jit-aree, Chief Petty Officer Suwit Panichwattana, and petty officers Somkiet Seuyoi, Manit Khumpai, Niwat Mungsaeng, Thawal Khonnoen and Thanakorn Nuansutha. They died in the line of duty and their families are entitled to naval benefits, Ruangthip said.
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