Family members of Aewan Faslasaini Salihin were in the dark that the technician who only worked for Petronas Carigali for five months had boarded the helicopter that crashed and killed him.

His father, Mohd Salleh Rakawi, 66, who operates a canteen in Kuala Baram, said the family only came to know about the tragedy through the news on television.

"We never thought that he was also on board the ill-fated helicopter," he said.

Aewan's mother, Noraini Abdullah 55, was still in shock and disbelief over the death of her son.

According to the Borneo Post , Aewan has told her that he wanted to concentrate on his career.

"I want to focus on my career and make good my life," the 22-year-old technician told his mother. This turned out to be his last words.

The desire will never be fulfilled now. Aewan's body was found yesterday, still strapped to his seat in the helicopter as it plunged into the sea.

"He was supposed to return home tomorrow (Feb 1) after nearly two weeks working offshore," she said in between sobs, adding that there was nothing unusual about his son before he left home two weeks ago.

Kacang Dal his favourite dish

Aewan was the only fatality when the Super Puma L2 helicopter ferrying him and seven other passengers to an oil platfrom about 80km offshore Bintulu crashed into the South China Sea.

The 22-year old technician was a fresh graduate from Pusat Giat Mara in Kuala Baram majoring in mechanical studies.

Aewan's sister, Siti Hadzar, 36, who was very closed to him, said that every time he returned back from offshore, he would ask his mother to cook Kacang Dal - his favourite dish.

"I was looking forward to seeing him tomorrow (today) because that's when he would be back from offshore," she said while clutching a framed photograph of her favourite brother, still a bachelor.

Aewan's body arrived at Bintulu Port on board the Royal Malaysian Navy's KD Kedah at 9 pm last night after a seven-hour journey from the scene of the crash.

It was brought to the Bintulu Hospital and is expected to be released today for burial.