Team News Riveting
Chennai, December 15
The lone survivor of the Coonoor Indian Air Force (IAF) chopper crash, Group Captain Varun Singh passed away after battling serious injuries for over a week.
A decorated officer, he was travelling with Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat to the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington as the liaison officer. He was conferred the Shaurya Chakra in August for averting a possible mid-air accident after his Tejas light combat aircraft developed a major technical snag last year.
He sustained serious injuries when the chopper crashed in the Nilgiris on December 8, killing remaining 13 persons on board. Besides General Rawat, his wife Madulika was among the 13 persons who killed in the crash.
He was admitted to a hospital in Wellington with severe burn injuries. The next day, Group Captain was shifted to the Command Hospital in Bengaluru from Wellington in Tamil Nadu.
“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 IAF said in a tweet.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief at the demise of Group Captain Varun Singh.
“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,” he tweeted.
