Jakarta, ThedailyID — Two of the three crew members aboard a Super Puma VH-HGM helicopter that crashed into the Barito River in South Kalimantan on Sunday, November 8, 2026 have been rescued safely.
The helicopter went down while carrying out a water-bombing operation to extinguish forest and land fires.
Acting Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Data, Information and Disaster Communication Center, Berton SP Panjaitan, said the crew consisted of two foreign nationals from Australia and New Zealand, as well as one Indonesian citizen.
The three crew members were identified as Michael John Betterridge from Australia, Hugh Andrew John Page from New Zealand, and Yayan from Indonesia.
However, only the two foreign crew members had been safely evacuated at the time of the report. The status of the Indonesian crew member remained unclear.
Berton said the crash occurred in the Barito River, near Tabatan Village, Kuripan District, Barito Kuala Regency.
The helicopter, registered under serial number MSN 2878, was privately owned and contracted by BNPB to support wildfire suppression operations.
BNPB Chief Lieutenant General Kristomei Sianturi had received a preliminary report on the incident. Meanwhile, relevant teams remained at the scene to investigate the sequence of events.
Authorities have yet to determine what caused the helicopter to crash. An investigation is still underway.
However, a video circulating on social media appeared to show the helicopter collecting water from the Barito River using a long cable attached to a large water container known as a Bambi Bucket.
Shortly after lifting the water, the helicopter gradually descended. Its nose then tilted toward the river before the aircraft plunged into the water.
