New Delhi: Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain Varun Singh, Directing Staff at DSSC, is the only survivor in the tragic chopper crash that led to the death of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 others, said officials.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 other people on board an Indian Air Force Mi-17V-5 helicopter died in a crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, the Indian Air Force confirmed.
"With deep regret, it has now been ascertained that Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat and 11 other persons on board have died in the unfortunate accident," IAF tweeted.
IAF further informed that Group Captain Varun Singh, Directing Staff at DSSC, is the lone survivor in the accident. He has sustained injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at Military Hospital, Wellington.
Group Captain Varun Singh was awarded with the Shaurya Chakra on Independence Day this year for saving his LCA Tejas fighter aircraft during an aerial emergency in the year 2020.
The crash took place shortly after the Russian-made Mi-17 V5 chopper took off from the Army base in Sulur in Coimbatore for the Defence Staff Services College in Wellington.
The accident is believed to happened due to low visibility owing to foggy conditions even though the IAF said a Court of Inquiry had been ordered into the incident. TV visuals showed the badly damaged chopper in flames. The mangled and burnt remains of the IAF chopper were strewn along the site.