Indian national killed as two helicopters collide in Nepal's Solukhumbu
One passenger died and several others were injured when two helicopters collided during landing in the Solukhumbu district on Tuesday.
An Indian national was killed and another passenger was injured after two helicopters collided during landing in Nepal's Solukhumbu district on Tuesday morning. The accident occurred at approximately 8:11 am at the Pheriche helipad in Ward 4 of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, according to the Solukhumbu District Police Office.
The collision involved helicopters operated by Fishtail Air and Air Dynasty. Preliminary information suggests the rotors of the two aircraft struck each other while they were landing, according to Gyanendra Bhul, an information officer for the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.
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 taken to a hospital in Lukla via a Prabhu Air helicopter, reported by India TV.
Shailesh Krishna Patel, a passenger of Indian origin and a New Zealand resident, was also injured in the Fishtail Air helicopter. He was airlifted to Mediciti Hospital in Kathmandu for treatment.
The pilots, Rabindra Prajapati of Fishtail Air and Prajwal KC of Dynasty Air, also sustained injuries and have been taken to Kathmandu for further medical care. The total number of passengers on the two helicopters at the time of the accident is yet to be confirmed as authorities gather more details.