6 dead after helicopter headed to Gangotri from Dehradun crashes near Gangnani

The helicopter belongs to Heli Aerotrans Company and had taken off this morning from the Sahastradhara helipad en route to Harsil. Seven people were on board, including the pilot. Five died on the spot, and one died while being treated.

Of those on board, four passengers are from Mumbai and two from Andhra Pradesh, said police. The deceased include five women and one man, the pilot. A 51-year-old man from Andhra Pradesh is undergoing treatment for injuries.

The helicopter was going to the Gangotri Dham of the Char Dham Yatra circuit.

Rescue personnel at the site of the crash. (Photo: PTI)

The State Disaster Response Force received information at 8.50 am, and a team was dispatched from the Bhatwari post, while another team set out from the Ujeli post.

“The team found that the helicopter had fallen into a gorge 200-250 metres deep. The team established a base at the location and began the rescue operation by descending into the gorge. The pilot of the helicopter was Captain Robin Singh. There were a total of seven people on board the helicopter, including one pilot and six passengers. SDRF is conducting rescue operations at the site in coordination with the local police and other emergency units,” the force said in a statement.

Following the incident, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “Deeply saddened to receive the tragic news of casualties in the helicopter crash near Gangnani in Uttarkashi. SDRF and district administration teams immediately reached the site to carry out relief and rescue operations.” He also said that instructions have been given to the administration to provide all possible assistance to the injured and to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.