Group Captain Varun Singh, Lone Survivor Of Coonoor Crash, Passes Away

Group Captain Varun Singh, who was the only survivor in the December 8 chopper accident in Tamil Nadu that took the lives of 13 including India's Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, passed away Wednesday at the hospital where he was being treated for injuries. The Indian Air Force (IAF), in a statement, confirmed his death.

"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," the statement reads.

News of Singh's death comes a day after reports, quoting IAF sources, said that his condition was critical but stable. He was reported to be on life support at the Air Force Command Hospital in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

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14 people, including army personnel and the wife of General Rawat, were on board the Mil Mi-17V-5 helicopter that crashed in the Nilgiri hill forests on December 8. The group had taken off from Sulur and were headed to the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington, where General Rawat was to address an audience.

The crash happened after noon, ten minutes from when the chopper would have arrived at its destination, and first came to the notice of villagers, who attempted to douse the fires and alerted defence authorities. Tragic images of the wreckage enveloped in thick smoke and forest debris emerged on social media, showing the intensity of the crash.

The Defence Ministry has ordered a tri-service inquiry into the crash. Read more here.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, mourning Singh's death, recognised his service to the nation. In a statement, he said, "Group Captain Varun Singh served the nation with pride, valour and utmost professionalism. I am extremely anguished by his passing away. His rich service to the nation will never be forgotten. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti."

Singh joined the Indian Air Force in 2004. He was honoured with the Shaurya Chakra in 2021 for "exceptional gallantry" during the emergency landing of a malfunctioned aircraft last year. He was a Wing Commander until this year when he was promoted to the rank of Group Captain.