Fourth Army Region commander, Lt-Gen Kriangkrai Srirak, and five other people were injured when the army Blackhawk helicopter in which they were travelling crash-landed in a rubber plantation in the Thepa district of Thailand’s southern province of Songkhla this morning (Friday).
Initial reports indicate that the helicopter developed engine problems, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing.
While the aircraft did not catch fire after the forced landing, it did sustain considerable damage.
A rescue team arrived at the scene shortly after the incident and took all six wounded to the nearest hospital. One was, however, trapped inside the chopper, but rescue workers got him out.
Maj-Gen Pramote Prom-in, deputy commander of the Fourth Army Region, said that that Lt-Gen Kriangkrai sustained minor injuries to his thigh, while his aide suffered a broken arm.
