Helicopter pilot Hameed Mohamed Obaid Al Zaabi laid to rest

Hundreds of mourners turned out to pay their respects

The funeral of Hameed Mohamed Obaid Al Zaabi in Ras al Khaimah. WAM

Hundreds of mourners turned out for the funeral of helicopter pilot Hameed Mohamed Obaid Al Zaabi on Wednesday following the tragic crash in Ras Al Khaimah last week.

Captain Al Zaabi was among four crew who died when their rescue Agusta 139 helicopter crashed into the Jebel Jais mountainside on Saturday.

It is thought the aircraft - which was responding to reports of an injured man in the area - spiralled out of control after clipping a cable of the world’s longest zipline.

An investigation into the incident remains ongoing and the zipline has been shut until further notice.

“We are proud of him and we pray to Almighty Allah to rest his soul in eternal peace and to accept him with the prophets and martyrs,” said one of his brothers, Obaid Al Zaabi.

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A second brother, Jassim, said that Al Zaabi, 53, was one of eight children and had left behind four daughters, the eldest of whom was 24.

“He is hailed as a hero to all of us and to the community in Al Salhiyah area,” said Ebraheem, another of his brothers.

Al Zaabi's funeral took place at the Al Salhiyah mosque in Ras Al Khaimah after Al Maghrib prayer at sunset.

Family members carried his body through the crowd before laying him to rest in Al Salhiyah cemetery.

Pilot Saqr Saeed Mohamed Abdullah Al Yamahi, navigator Jasim Abdullah Al Tunaiji and Mark Roxburgh also died in the tragedy on January 2.

Since the accident thousands of people have taken to social media to express their shock over the incident.

“They are martyrs Inshaallah,” said one. “We pray to Allah to rest their souls in peace and bestow patience and solace on their families.”