An air ambulance helicopter en route from Tsushima to Fukuoka crashed off the coast of Iki Island on April 6, killing three people: an 86-year-old patient, her 68-year-old son, and a 34-year-old doctor. Three others survived.
Authorities found the operator, SGC Saga Aviation, waited over 30 minutes after losing contact before reporting the incident. Flight tracking showed the helicopter stopped moving 17 minutes after takeoff, but its low altitude made it hard to determine its status immediately. The Japan Coast Guard is investigating the delay and has searched the company’s offices on suspicion of professional negligence resulting in death. Source: NHK
Stay informed with the latest Fukuoka & Kyushu news and events in English. Sign up for our free weekly newsletter today and never miss a beat. Opt out anytime, your privacy is our priority. Get the inside scoop with The Now
Summaries based on public content, errors may occur during translation. Images credited independently. Send feedback using this form.