Australian named as one of two survivors in Indonesian helicopter crash

The two survivors of a fatal helicopter crash in Indonesia have been named, as authorities continue to investigate what caused the incident.

Local authorities said Australian Michael Betteridge and New Zealander Hugh Page survived after the helicopter they were flying nosedived into a river on the island of Borneo yesterday.

The aircraft was collecting water for firefighting operations from the Barito River in South Kalimantan province when it went down.

Video posted online shows people rescuing Mr Betteridge and Mr Page from the water shortly after the crash occurred, before they were treated at a military hospital.

A third Indonesian crew member, navigator Yayan Supyansuri, died and was found by rescue teams yesterday.

The helicopter was contracted to Indonesian authorities to help fight its worst forest and land fire season in more than a decade.

"The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is committed to facilitating an official investigation by the relevant authorities to determine the exact cause of the crash," BNPB spokesperson Berton SP Panjaitan said.

"As a follow-up action, BNPB will conduct a comprehensive safety evaluation of aerial operations.

"The review will encompass the technical readiness of the fleet, water-bombing procedures, aircrew fitness and qualifications, weather conditions, and site-specific characteristics."

A spokesperson for Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement it was "providing consular assistance to an Australian who was rescued safely following a helicopter crash in Indonesia".

"Australian officials are in close contact with local authorities following the incident," they said.

A spokesperson for New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement it was aware of the crash and its embassy in Jakarta was making further enquiries.

Second crash in a week

The crash comes after three Indonesian crew were killed when a separate water-bombing helicopter crashed on November 4 in Central Kalimantan.

The helicopter was carrying eight crew and also crashed while loading water.

Forest and land fires have been burning across large swathes of Indonesia, particularly in the Indonesian portion of Borneo, known as Kalimantan, in Sumatra and in Papua.

The fires often burn in peatland, making them notoriously difficult to extinguish as embers continue to burn deep underground.

Indonesia's environment minister said more than 100,000 personnel had been involved in fighting fires across the country this year.

Toxic smoke and haze from the blazes has caused more than 400,000 acute respiratory infections, according to the country's health ministry.

The fires are commonly linked to land-clearing operations, with more than 240 people and 20 companies accused by Indonesian authorities of deliberately or negligently lighting fires.