(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-11 21:32

BEIJING - Three people were injured, one of whom was critically injured after a quake-relief helicopter made a forced landing in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Wednesday due to a mechanical malfunction, said an official with the Shifang Municipal Quake Relief and Rescue Headquarters.

An earlier report said no one was injured in the accident, quoting sources with the the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

The Super Puma helicopter landed in an open field at the Happy Valley entertainment park in Hongbai town, Shifang city, at 12:35 p.m., the official said.

The helicopter had 13 crew members and quake relief staff aboard when the accident happened. It belongs to the Citic Offshore Helicopter Co. Ltd.

The helicopter was heading to Shifang City, Sichuan Province to carry out a wild animal rescue mission when it encountered a mechanical breakdown.

Rescue helicopters were sent to the crash landing area, the CAAC said.

A Xinhua reporter is on the way to the scene.