In a major loss to India, the country’s first and current Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat has been killed in an army chopper crash. The Mi-series chopper was carrying General Rawat's staff and family members when it crashed near Tamil Nadu's Coonoor on Wednesday.
According to reports, 14 passengers were on board the aircraft, including Bipin Rawat, his wife, the Defence Assistant, security commandos, and IAF pilots. Reportedly, the chopper was heading to the Wellington defence establishment.
After hearing massive sounds residents rushed towards and site. While recalling the tragic incident an eye-witness said, “I first heard a loud noise. When I came outside to see what had happened, I saw the helicopter crash into a tree. There was a huge fireball and then it crashed into another tree. I saw two three people coming out of the helicopter, they were completely burnt and started falling.”
On Thursday, news agency ANI posted a video, captured by the residents of the area, which shows the last moments of the Mi-17 airplane. The video shows a military helicopter that vanishes after a few seconds.
Have a look at the video:-
In this unfortunate incident, around 13 people have lost their lives, those were: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Bipin Rawat, Madhulika Rawat (CDS Bipin Rawat's wife), Brig LS Lidder, Lt Col H Singh, Wg Cdr PS Chauhan, Sqn Ldr K Singh, JWO Das, JWO Pradeep A, Hav Satpal, Nk Gursewak Singh, Nk Jitender, L/Nk Vivek, L/Nk S Teja.
The sole survivor of the incident – Group Captain Varun Singh is being treated for severe burns at the military hospital in Wellington.
The investigation has been started in the case. Today, the crash site was visited by Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhary and the black box was recovered through the craft.