Special Forces passing-out parade halted after helicopter crash

The passing-out parade for intakes 55 and 56 of the Sri Lanka Army's elite Special Forces was abruptly cancelled midway through the event after a Sri Lanka Air Force helicopter crashed into the Maduru Oya Reservoir this morning.

The Bell 212 helicopter, operated by the No. 7 Squadron, went down during a training exercise held in conjunction with the ceremony at the Special Forces Training School in Maduru Oya.

According to initial reports, 12 personnel were on board the helicopter at the time, including two Air Force pilots and members of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Special Task Force (STF), and Army Special Forces (SF).

The SLAF said that all personnel abord the helicopter were rescued and admitted to the Hospital and five of them died after being admitted to the Polonaruwa Hospital. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana