Indian national killed in Nepal helicopter mid-air collision
One person died and several others were injured after two helicopters struck each other while landing in Solukhumbu district.
An Indian national died and another person was injured when two helicopters collided during landing at a helipad in Nepal's Solukhumbu district on Tuesday morning, according to reports from India Today and The Hindu.
The accident occurred at approximately 8.11 a.m. at the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Pheriche helipad. The collision involved aircraft operated by Fishtail Air and Dynasty Air, whose rotor blades struck each other as they approached the landing site.
The deceased has been identified as 47-year-old Vasant Kumar Balara Madu, an Indian national travelling on the Fishtail Air helicopter. His body was transported to a hospital in Lukla.
Shailesh Kishan Patel, a 49-year-old New Zealand citizen of Indian origin, was also aboard the Fishtail Air helicopter and sustained injuries. He was airlifted to Mediciti Hospital in Kathmandu by a Prabhu Helicopter.
The two pilots, Rabindra Prajapati of Fishtail Air and Prajwal KC of Dynasty Air, were also injured and taken to Kathmandu for medical treatment. The total number of passengers on the two aircraft has not yet been confirmed.
Gyanendra Bhul, an information officer with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, confirmed the incident. Police stated they are currently gathering further details regarding the circumstances of the collision.