The lone survivor of the December 8 crash of an Indian Air Force helicopter in Tamil Nadu which led to the death of Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat, has succumbed to his injuries on December 15.
The Indian Air Force on December 15 informed the death of Group Captain Varun Singh who was the only survivor from the accident that claimed the life of 13 people, including General Rawat and his wife.
“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 tweeted on December 15.
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.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 15, 2021
Among others, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of the officer. “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.
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 15, 2021
India’s top military official, CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 others died in the crash on December 8. With Group Captain Varun Singh’s death, there are no survivors from the fatal ‘accident’.
On December 8, General Rawat was on a visit to the Defence Services Staff College at Wellington in Nilgiri Hills to address the faculty members and student officers of the staff course.
Around noon on December 8, an IAF Mi17V5 helicopter with a crew of four members carrying the CDS and nine others met with the tragic accident near Coonoor.
