A helicopter crashed in Kedarnath today, which was being brought to Gauchar airstrip by MI-17 aircraft for repairs. Due to a technical fault, the helicopter had to make an emergency landing when the MI-17 started losing balance due to the weight of the helicopter and the wind.
District tourism officer Rahul Chaubey said, “Today the plan was to take the helicopter to Gauchar airstrip with the help of MI-17 aircraft for repairs. After covering a short distance, the balance of MI-17 started deteriorating due to the weight of the helicopter and the wind, due to which the helicopter had to land near Tharu camp. There was no passenger or luggage in the helicopter. As soon as the information was received, the rescue team reached the spot. The team is inspecting the situation.”
SDRF also issued a statement on this incident that happened this morning. According to SDRF, “Today SDRF rescue team received information through Police post Lincholi that a faulty helicopter of a private company, which was being towed from Shri Kedarnath helipad to Gochar helipad by another helicopter, has fallen into the river at Lincholi near Tharu Camp. SDRF team has reached the spot and rescue work is going on. There is no loss of life in this incident. Search is being conducted by SDRF team.”