3 Killed After Helicopter Crashes In Hilly Area Near Pune

Three persons have died after a helicopter crashed at Bavdhan in Pune shortly after take-off this morning. The helicopter belonged to a Delhi-based aviation firm, initial reports say. The three victims have been identified as pilots Girish Kumar Pillai and Paramjit Singh and engineer Pritamchand Bharadwaj.

Police in Pune’s Pimpri Chinchwad said the helicopter crashed in a hilly area shortly after it took off.

Shashikant Mahavarkar, Joint Commissioner of Police for Pimpri Chinchwad, said the helicopter took off from Oxford Golf Club’s helicopter at 7.30 am and crashed within five minutes. Police have said dense fog in the area may have led to the crash. A rescue operation is underway.

Visuals from the crash sight showed a massive wreckage and tall flames.