Published on ShanghaiDaily.com (http://www.shanghaidaily.com/)
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2008/200806/20080611/article_362832.htm
Last crash victim found dead
Created: 2008-6-11 17:48:19
Author:Li Xinran
THE missing person onboard the crashed helicopter was confirmed dead, CCTV reported today.
Searchers at the scene were still looking for the black box.
Rescuers discovered the body of the victim - who was reported missing yesterday - killed in the crash on May 31.
A task force of more than 100 members including forensic experts and disease-prevention staff has arrived at the scene to clear the debris and carry out autopsies.
Rescuers were facing difficulties with transporting the bodies from the wreckage site on a cliff to Yingxiu before they could be cremated in Chengdu, Sichuan's capital.
The time originally allowed for for soldiers to carry the bodies down from the cliff was not sufficient because of the difficulties.
Headquarters said it was considering either dispatching military engineers to open a new road or sending the bodies down the cliffside by ropes.
The Russian-designed Mi-171 helicopter had a crew of five and was air-lifting 13 patients out of the quake area at the time of the crash.
It may have encountered fog and turbulence and have struck the mountain, an official with the relief headquarters of the Chengdu Military Area Command, said.
The helicopter was camouflaged and difficult to spot amongst the dense bush and trees of the mountainous area. More than 100 helicopters were used in the search, while 300-plus rescue teams, comprising more than 10,000 troops, armed police, militia, reservists and local residents, combed the region.
Today another helicopter completed an emergency landing in Siping, Sichuan province, at noon with an engine malfunction.
Thirteen crew members and rescuers onboard were all safe. The Super Puma helicopter was reportedly flying to Shifang City to rescue wild animals.
Searchers at the scene were still looking for the black box.
Rescuers discovered the body of the victim - who was reported missing yesterday - killed in the crash on May 31.
A task force of more than 100 members including forensic experts and disease-prevention staff has arrived at the scene to clear the debris and carry out autopsies.
Rescuers were facing difficulties with transporting the bodies from the wreckage site on a cliff to Yingxiu before they could be cremated in Chengdu, Sichuan's capital.
The time originally allowed for for soldiers to carry the bodies down from the cliff was not sufficient because of the difficulties.
Headquarters said it was considering either dispatching military engineers to open a new road or sending the bodies down the cliffside by ropes.
The Russian-designed Mi-171 helicopter had a crew of five and was air-lifting 13 patients out of the quake area at the time of the crash.
It may have encountered fog and turbulence and have struck the mountain, an official with the relief headquarters of the Chengdu Military Area Command, said.
The helicopter was camouflaged and difficult to spot amongst the dense bush and trees of the mountainous area. More than 100 helicopters were used in the search, while 300-plus rescue teams, comprising more than 10,000 troops, armed police, militia, reservists and local residents, combed the region.
Today another helicopter completed an emergency landing in Siping, Sichuan province, at noon with an engine malfunction.
Thirteen crew members and rescuers onboard were all safe. The Super Puma helicopter was reportedly flying to Shifang City to rescue wild animals.
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