Rishikesh, Uttarakhand: A tragic helicopter crash claimed seven lives, including the pilot, on the Rishikesh-Gangotri National Highway early Wednesday morning.
The helicopter, belonging to AeroTrans Services Private Limited, plunged into a gorge 200–250 metres deep at around 8:45 am, according to the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).
The chopper had departed from the Sahastradhara helipad in Dehradun en route to the Kharsali helipad near Yamunotri. Captain Robin Singh was at the helm of the aircraft. Among the passengers, four were reported to be from Mumbai and two from Andhra Pradesh, officials said.
Rescue operations were launched immediately after the SDRF received the distress alert. However, the depth of the gorge and challenging terrain hampered efforts.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep grief over the tragic incident. “The administration has been directed to provide all possible assistance to the injured and the families of the victims. A thorough investigation has been ordered to determine the cause of the crash,” he said. Dhami also assured the public that he is personally monitoring the situation and remains in constant touch with officials on the ground.
Preliminary reports suggest bad weather may have played a role, though technical failure has not been ruled out. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to send a team for a detailed inquiry.
Victims at a glance
- Pilot: Capt Robin Singh
- Passengers from Mumbai: 4
- Passengers from Andhra Pradesh: 2
Voices of grief
Locals and tourists gathered near the crash site, expressing shock and sorrow. “We saw the helicopter flying low, and within moments, it disappeared into the gorge,” said Ramesh Rawat, an eyewitness.
