IAF rescue chopper crashes in Bihar

One person was killed when an Indian Air Force helicopter dropping food packets in flood-hit Begusarai district of Bihar crash-landed in a marshy area on Monday.

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A loader, who was on board the Mi-17 helicopter, jumped to death from the open hind of the aircraft when it was going down, an IAF spokesman said in New Delhi [ Images ]. The rest on board escaped unhurt.

The mishap took place around 1100 IST in Sonma-Pranpur village under the Garpura block of Begusarai district, official sources said.

The extent of damage to the helicopter could not be ascertained immediately.

A court of enquiry has been ordered into the crash, the spokesman said.

Five people, including an NCC cadet and a press photographer, were on board the helicopter.

Earlier this month, 15 girl students of the Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital had a narrow escape when an IAF chopper evacuating them from their hostel building crashed.