A heartbroken couple has revealed they can barely care for their children one year on from a devastating helicopter crash in Bali.
Aussie miner Russell Harris and his Indonesian partner Keylla were among five people who were on board a scenic chopper flight when it crashed near Pecatu on the Indonesian island’s south coast on July 19, 2024.
The Bell Jet Model 505 collided with a ceremonial kite string, which tangled around the helicopter’s main rotor, just three minutes into the flight and plunged 300metres.
The pair relived the near-death experience on the one-year anniversary of the crash, sharing horrifying footage from the chopper and claims the company, PT. Whitesky Aviation, backtracked on an agreement to cover their medical expenses.
Keylla, visibly emotional, told 9News the incident had completely upended her life and that she has struggled with the mental toll of the crash.
‘Since the accident, I can’t work, I can’t even take care of my kids,’ she said.
‘So these people need to know that our life is totally messed up.’
Mr Harris, who was filming as the helicopter began hurtling towards the ground, recalled the terrifying moment he landed upside down.
Russell Harris (right) and his partner Keylla (left) survived the horror helicopter crash in Bali
The couple accused the chopper company of walking back a pledge to pay for medical bills (pictured is the crumpled Bell-505 Jet Ranger)
Mr Harris (pictured) has recalled the terrifying moment the helicopter landed upside down
‘I’m upside down. I cannot release myself. I cannot get out. I’m trying for all my life because all I’m looking at is this fluid dripping in front of me,’ he said.
‘I’m thinking, “I’ve survived before, but now I’m about to die in a fireball”.’
The two Australian tourists and three Indonesian nationals onboard all survived.
Early investigations confirmed the aircraft’s rotor became wrapped in the kite’s string shortly after takeoff, causing the pilot to lose control.
Bali’s aviation authorities have since launched a review into kite flying regulations near airports and popular flight paths in a bid to prevent similar accidents.
Despite surviving the ordeal, the couple say the true battle began after the crash.
They claim PT. Whitesky Aviation, which operates under the name Bali Heli Tour, stopped covering their medical bills just three months after the incident, despite promising to pay for long-term treatment.
‘If they stuck to their agreement and we got the right treatment that we’re supposed to get, would we be sitting here in a comfortable state? Absolutely,’ Mr Harris alleged.
A video shows the shocking moments before the helicopter came crashing down
Bali’s aviation authorities have since launched a review into kite flying regulations near airports and popular flight paths in a bid to prevent similar accidents
The pair chose to speak out publicly on the anniversary of the crash to put pressure on the operator to honour its alleged commitment.
PT. Whitesky Aviation has yet to respond to the couple’s claims but continues to offer scenic flights to tourists visiting Bali.
Authorities say safety protocols have been reviewed in the wake of the incident, with tougher rules around kite flying being considered as part of the ongoing investigation.
