Bengaluru: Group Captain Varun Singh, the only survivor in the deadly Mi17 V5 chopper crash last week, passed away this morning. He was among the 3 survivors in the crash. Late CDS General Rawat was one of them who succumbed later on the way to the hospital. GC Varun Singh was later shifted from the Welington Hospital Coonor to Military hospital in Bengaluru where he was on life support.
"IAF is deeply saddened to inform the passing away of braveheart Group Captain Varun Singh, who succumbed this morning to the injuries sustained in the helicopter accident on 08 Dec 21. IAF offers sincere condolences and stands firmly with the bereaved family," tweeted IAF a short while ago.
"Sad to learn that Group Captain Varun Singh breathed his last after putting up a valiant fight for life. Though badly injured in the chopper crash, he displayed the soldierly spirit of valour and indomitable courage. The nation is grateful to him. My condolences to his family," tweeted President Ram Nath Kovind.
On 08 December 2021, an IAF helicopter Mi17 V5 that took off from Sulur Air Force base, crashed 10 km before landing in Coonoor. India's top military officer, late CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others died in the accident. Blackbox from the crash site was recovered the next day and a tri-forces enquiry was ordered. Cause of the crash is under investigation.