Newly-weds among 7 killed in chopper crash

Seven persons, including the pilot and a newly-wed couple, were killed when a chopper ferrying them back from the over 700-year-old Viashnodevi Shrine crashed in Katra after catching fire following a suspected bird hit, in the first fatal plane accident in this holy town.

The 2010-make chopper of private airliner Himalayan Heli service, which was carrying six pilgrims from Sanjichat helipad in Trikuta hills, crashed at the new bus stand area in Katra, IGP Jammu, Danish Rana said. 

In the crash, seven persons including a woman pilot were killed, DIG Udhampur-Reasi Range, Surinder Gupta said.

Governor NN Vohra said according to preliminary investigation, “a vulture had hit the chopper”. He said DGCA has instituted an inquiry which will probe reasons for the crash.

J&K Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, who rushed to the accident site, said: “As per initial information, a bird got caught in the tail rotor as a result of which it stopped functioning. Finding the area below populated, the woman pilot chose a safe landing area at the new bus stand to avoid casualties on the ground. As the plane was descending, its rotors got entwined in electrical wires and caught fire.” He said arrangements are being made to send the bodies to Jammu and Delhi.