The pilot of the ill-fated helicopter MI-17V5 was the lone survivor among the 14 people on board the chopper that crashed in a Valley of Coonoor after crashing into trees at around noon the Indian Air Force and local officials said.\u00a0 Sources say that the pilot has 80% burns.<\/p>\n
General Rawat, the 63-year-old first CDS of the country, was on a visit to Defence Services Staff College, Wellington (Nilgiri Hills) to address the faculty and student officers of the Staff Course today, the IAF spokesman said. “Around noon today, an IAF Mi 17 V5 helicopter with a crew of 4 members carrying the CDS and 9 other passengers met with a tragic accident near Coonoor, TN,” the spokesman said. “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,” the IAF spokesman said.<\/p>\n
Gp Capt Varun Singh SC, Directing Staff at DSSC with injuries is currently under treatment at Military Hospital, Wellington, he said.<\/p>\n
India was in shock at the sudden news of his death and condolences are pouring in from all quarters.<\/p>\n
\nGen Bipin Rawat was an outstanding soldier. A true patriot, he greatly contributed to modernising our armed forces and security apparatus. His insights and perspectives on strategic matters were exceptional. His passing away has saddened me deeply. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com\/YOuQvFT7Et<\/a><\/p>\n
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 8, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n