1 dead, 2 hurt as PNP chopper crashes in Quezon

One police personnel died while two others were confirmed injured when a helicopter of the Philippine National Police (PNP) crashed in Real, Quezon on Monday.

Police Brigadier General Roderick Augustus Alba identified the fatality as Police Patrolman Allen Noel Ona.

Police Lieutenant Colonels Michael Melloria and Dexter Vitug were brought to Claro M. Recto Hospital in Infanta, Quezon, according to Real Municipal Police Station.

Another personnel  was also aboard the chopper but there was no information yet on his status.

Initial report showed the personnel onboard PNP Airbus H125 helicopter RP-9710 left Manila Domestic Airport at 6:17 a.m. for an administrative mission. The aircraft was reported missing hours after the take off.

At 8:15 a.m., the Real MPS received a report from the PNP Air Unit about the helicopter crash in Purok Mayaog, Barangay Pandan.

Personnel from the local police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Municipal Action Center (MAC) responded to the area for verification.

Authorities were having a difficult time sending reports as the area has no signal coverage. The crash site was approximately 30 kilometers from the town proper of Real.

The PNP national headquarters grounded the entire fleet of H125 Airbus Police helicopters while an investigation is underway in coordination with the  Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Department of Transportation, and other concerned agencies.—AOL, GMA News