At least one person was killed and three more injured after a helicopter crashed in a Mumbai suburb on Sunday, reported ANI. Officials said there were four passengers, including two crew members, in the helicopter that crashed in Goregaon East’s Aarey Colony.
All the passengers were first taken to a local hospital, where the pilot was declared dead on arrival because of severe burn and trauma injuries. Another passenger suffered multiple injuries on his head and chest. A third was brought in with 35% burns, and the fourth suffered fractures on his hand, the hospital superintendent told The Indian Express.
Officials investigating the crash said a fire started on the helicopter while it was in the air, forcing a crash landing. Although the crash took place at 11.30 am, the city’s fire brigade reportedly received the information at 12.19 pm. Five fire tenders were sent to the spot and the blaze was doused by 1.20 pm. Later, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau said it would send a team to the city to investigate the incident.
The chopper, a Robinson R44 Astro, originally belonged to Pawan Hans, a Mini Ranta-I category Public Sector Unit. It was then sold to a private aviation company, Aman Aviations, which used it for joy rides. The company has not yet issued a statement on the crash.
Corrections and Clarifications: This story has been edited to reflect the number of people killed and injured in the crash.
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