Army chopper crashes in Tamil Nadu, Bipin Rawat was on board
An Army chopper with Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat on board crashed in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu today.
Four bodies have been recovered and three injured persons rescued from the crash site, official sources said.
There was no immediate information on the condition of Genenral Rawat. Some reports say he has been taken to the hospital.
The ill-fated helicopter was carrying 14 people in total — 9 passengers and 5 crew members.
The passengers were CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat, Brig LS Lidder, Lt Col Harjinder Singh, NK Gursewak Singh, NK Jitendra Kr, L/Naik Vivek Kumar, L/Naik B Sai Teja & Hav Satpal,
Madhulika Rawat is critically injured, Mos Defence Subhash Bhamre said.
The chopper was on its way from the Sulur IAF base to the Defence Services College located at Well ..
It was an Mi-17V5 helicopter, IAF said, adding that an inquiry has been ordered.
The accident spot was said to be covered in thick mist. The mishap reportedly happened due to low visibility caused by foggy conditions. Some visuals show the chopper in flames.
Rescue teams, along with Army personnel, were engaged in clearing the area, reports said.
