His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, yesterday morning visited RIPAS Hospital to meet the two members of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) who survived the crash involving a Bell 212 helicopter of the Royal Brunei Air Force in a remote area of Belait District on July 20, 2012.

The visit reflected His Royal Highness' concern for the survivors to ensure that their welfare was being taken care of. It also showed the on-going support and caring attitude of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam for the well-being of his subjects.

According to Hj Mohd Norzairi bin Yahya, the father of Cadet Officer Mohd Zaim, His Royal Highness inquired about the condition of his son and encouraged him to continue to serve with the RBAF.

Hj Mohd Norzairi expressed his gratitude to His Royal Highness for visiting them and thanked Allah the Almighty for his son's survival. Hj Mohd Norzairi said he also panicked when he first heard about the incident.

Meanwhile another survivor, Mohd Fadhullah Harun bin Hj Asmat said His Royal Highness inquired about his physical condition, including whether he could move around. "I am now recovering and waiting for my condition to become stable and for the stitches in my cranial area to be removed before I can go back," Mohd Fadhullah Harun said. He also suffered torn fingers and a fractured left hand.

His mother, Rosyatimah binti Abdul Rahman described how her son's flesh was protruding at the neck and head prior to being stitched up upon arriving at the hospital.

On arrival at the RIPAS Hospital, His Royal Highness was greeted by the Minister of Health, Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Mohd Yusof.

Also present were Permanent Secretaries at the Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of Health, Deputy Permanent Secretaries at the Ministry of Health and senior government officials. - Borneo Bulletin (29 July 2012)