Three Powai residents among six killed in Uttarakhand chopper crash

Wreckage of the helicopter that crashed. Pic/PTI

Three women from Powai were among six people who died in a helicopter crash during the Char Dham Yatra near Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. The incident occurred on Thursday morning near the Rishikesh-Gangotri National Highway in Uttarkashi.

Vijayalaxmi Reddy, 57, a resident of Galleria Central Avenue Society

The deceased women have been identified as Vijayalaxmi Reddy, 57, a resident of Galleria Central Avenue Society, Powai, Ruchi Agrawal, 56, a resident of Odyssey 2, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai, Kala Chandrakant Soni, 61, a resident of Golden Oak, High Street, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai.

The other deceased are chopper pilot Robin Singh from Gujarat, Radha Agrawal from Uttar Pradesh, Vedavati Kumari from Andhra Pradesh, and the injured survivor is Bhaskar, 51, who is from Andhra Pradesh. Bhaskar sustained injuries and was shifted to AIIMS Rishikesh for further treatment.

Kala Chandrakant Soni, 61, a resident of Golden Oak, High Street, Hiranandani Gardens. Pics/Arranged by Rajesh Gupta

According to police officials, the crash occurred at around 8.40 am shortly after the helicopter took off from Kharsali Helipad near Yamunotri. It crashed near the Ganganani Nagraja Temple, approximately 200-250 metres down a gorge on a hillside near a village. The rescue operation was carried out by the state disaster response force (SDRF), the army, and local police with assistance from villagers.