BREAKING: 1 Dead, 4 Hurt After Civilian Helicopter Crashes in Pililla, Rizal — Including 2 Foreign Nationals
A civilian helicopter carrying five passengers crashed in Upper Barak, Barangay Quisao, Pililla, Rizal early Tuesday morning, March 3, killing one person and injuring four others. The crash happened around 7:27 AM, with rescue teams arriving at the site by 7:40 AM.
Pililla Mayor John Masinsin confirmed that the helicopter was carrying five passengers, including two foreign nationals. One passenger was declared dead on the spot, while two others sustained critical injuries and were immediately rushed to Rizal Provincial Hospital in Morong.
The two remaining survivors sustained minor injuries and are reportedly in stable condition. One of the injured passengers was still awaiting transport at the time of the mayor's report. The identities of the victims have not yet been officially released.
The Pililla chief of police, emergency responders, and barangay officials quickly converged at the crash site in the mountainous area of Quisao. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, with aviation authorities expected to conduct a thorough probe.
Pililla is a municipality in Rizal province located at the eastern edge of Laguna de Bay. The barangay where the crash occurred is in a rural, elevated area — making rescue operations more challenging. This is one of the more serious helicopter incidents in the region in recent memory.
Source: Daily Tribune / Manila Bulletin
