Bipin Rawat’s helicopter crash: Locals helped in rescue ops

Ground Report | New Delhi: Bipin Rawat’s helicopter crash; Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, his wife and other officers were in the helicopter that crashed between Coimbatore and Sulur in Tamil Nadu (TN).

News agency ANI tweeted, 13 of the 14 deaths on board have been confirmed. A total of 14 people were on board the IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter including CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife, defense assistants, security commandos and IAF pilots.

Earlier, the Indian Air Force had tweeted and confirmed that CDS Rawat was on board the aircraft and an inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident. However, there is no official note yet on the number of casualties or injuries in the accident.

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The helicopter would have been thoroughly examined. There would also have been a standby helicopter. The weather conditions would have been checked. In this case, if the weather in Wellington was mild, they would have decided to make an attempt and then call it off," said a former Indian Air Force (IAF) officer.

The official said a technical snag or bad weather could be the possible factors causing the accident. According to him, if everything was normal, one possibility was that the chopper was near Coonoor, it must have been flying down, or perhaps flew into the hill to hide under the clouds. He said, the study of the black box of the helicopter will shed more light on the causes of the accident.

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“Hoping for the safety of CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife and others onboard the chopper. Prayers for a speedy recovery,” tweeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. (Bipin Rawat’s helicopter crash)

“Shocked to hear about the tragic crash of helicopter with CoDS Shri Bipin Rawat ji on board. I pray for everyone’s safety, wellbeing,” said Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata wrote “Extremely tragic news coming in from Coonoor. Today, the entire nation prays for the safety of those who were onboard including CDS Bipin Rawat and his family members. Also praying for the speedy recovery of everyone who was injured,” she said.

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