3 dead as chopper crashes in Uttarakhand

Dehradun : A helicopter engaged in relief and rescue operations in the rain-ravaged Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand crashed on Wednesday killing three persons on board including two crew members.

A private helicopter with three persons on board crashed near Moldi in the rain-hit Uttarkashi district after getting entangled in cables, Uttarakhand's Director General of Police (Law and Order) Ashok Kumar said.

The pilot, co-pilot and a local were killed in the crash, he said. Those killed have been identified as the pilot, Captain Lal, co-pilot Captain Shailesh and Rajpal Rana, a resident of Kharsali village.

Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has deputed a team of officials to conduct a preliminary enquiry into the crash, according to a senior official. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is likely to probe the accident, a DGCA official said. Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat in a tweet expressed grief at the deaths in the crash and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 15 lakh each to the next of their kin.