The disaster of the helicopter crash near the shores of Haifa:
Capt. Ron Birman, the Navy patrol officer who survived the helicopter crash in which the two Air Force pilots, the late Major Chen Poleg and the late Lt. Col. Erez Shahaini were killed, in a first statement from Rambam Hospital: The accident happened around 20:50.
I managed to extricate myself from the drowning helicopter.
After many attempts at my friends' expenses, I was rescued by a naval police boat.
Wishing lots and lots of strength to the Fogel and Swimmer families.
Love you and be strong. "
The commander of the naval arm, Major General David Saar Selma and the commander of the Air Force, Major General Amikam Nurkin, visited Birman today, at the hospital.
During the visit, the commanders talked to the wounded man and his family and expressed their appreciation for the manner and calmness shown by the officer.
General David Saar Selma visits Capt. Ron Birman at Rambam Hospital, Photo: IDF Spokesman
"You did everything you could and everything you could, you acted responsibly, striving for contact and evil," General David Saar Selma told Birman.
"You are surrounded by both your family and your second family - the Navy and Squadron 3. Hold on, I know you are strong, we are here for everything you need. We are waiting for you back."
Major General Amikam Nurkin said: "You acted with courage and composure, I am glad you are alive. You are receiving excellent care, you will return soon, they are waiting for you at home and also in the squadron."
General Amikam Nurkin visits Capt. Ron Birman at Rambam Hospital, Photo: IDF Spokesman
As you may recall, yesterday a military helicopter of the "Bat" type with three crew members on it crashed into the sea off the coast of Haifa.
Helicopter crew members were rescued by Yaltam fighters, 13th Squadron fighters, 669 fighters and naval police forces who provided the pilots with initial treatment, and after resuscitation efforts were forced to determine their deaths.
Rescue efforts following the helicopter crash near the shores of Haifa // Photo: IDF Spokesman
Earlier today, IDF Spokesman Brigadier General Ran Kochav told about the chain of events in an interview with 103FM: "The helicopter was on its way back from a training flight, close to the shores of Haifa it hits the water and crashes, about 900 meters from the shore.
The two pilots killed, the naval patrol officer manages to extricate himself from the helicopter. "He further noted that the cause of the accident is not yet known," We are at the beginning of the investigation and all directions are open to us. "
At the same time, the IDF spokesman emphasized that they did not think it was a hostile terrorist attack and even ruled out the possibility that it was a cyber attack that disrupted the helicopter systems. "Fortunately, one of the crew members is alive.
I guess after he recovers we can interrogate him and understand what happened, "said the star lieutenant colonel, adding:" This is a very painful fatal accident.
We embrace the families and wish the health of the officer who was saved. "
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