A Turkish pilot and a Turkish forest staff member were killed in a helicopter crash in Aydin province of western Turkey on Thursday, Turkish private NTV channel reported.

The helicopter crashed when it was taking water from the Geyik Dam in Milas region to Cine town of Aydin province in a bid to put out the forest fire, reported the semi-official Anatolia news agency.

Three Russian pilots, one Turkish pilot and one forest staff member were on board, said the report, adding that Turkish rescue teams from Turkish security forces were sent to the spot.

(Xinhua News Agency June 18, 2009)