Helicopter on rescue mission crashing at world’s longest zip line in UAE shown in video

All four crew members killed as flight to save injured man turns to disaster

Footage has emerged of a helicopter on a rescue mission crashing near the world’s longest zip line in the United Arab Emirates.

All four crew members on board were killed in the accident on Saturday, the country’s National Search and Rescue Center said.

Witnesses said the helicopter clipped the zip line before diving into a tailspin.

The Civil Aviation Authority said the Agusta 139 crashed during its mission at around 5.50pm local time near the UAE's highest mountain, Jebel Jais in Ras al-Khaimah.

Videos posted online by stunned onlookers show it spinning before crashing and bursting into flames in the valley of a rocky mountain.

The helicopter had been on a mission to rescue an injured man, according to reports.

Ras al-Khaimah's ruler, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, ordered an immediate investigation into the crash near the site of the world's longest zip line, which is 2.83km (a mile and three-quarters) long.

The zip line opened in February as part of an effort by the smaller, lesser-known emirate of Ras al-Khaimah to attract more tourists and residents from neighbouring emirates such as Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Additional reporting by AP