In a devastating incident, a helicopter operated by Aero Trans Service Private Limited crashed near Gangnani on the Gangotri National Highway in Uttarkashi district around 8:45 AM on Thursday. The aircraft, registered as VT-OXF, had departed from the Sahastradhara helipad in Dehradun and was en route to Harsil when it met with the fatal accident. There were seven people on board, including the pilot.
The tragic crash claimed the lives of six individuals: Kala Soni (61), Vijaya Reddy (57), and Ruchi Agarwal (56), all from Mumbai; Radha Agarwal (79) from Uttar Pradesh; Vedvati Kumari (48) from Andhra Pradesh; and the pilot, Robin Singh (60) from Gujarat. The sole survivor, Mastu Bhaskar (51) from Andhra Pradesh, sustained serious injuries and has been referred to AIIMS Rishikesh for treatment.
In response to the incident, rescue operations were swiftly initiated by the police, SDRF, fire services, and medical teams. Officials rushed to the site to recover bodies, assist the injured, and secure the area. Visuals from the site showed the wreckage and mangled interior of the helicopter.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and assured that all necessary assistance would be provided to the injured. He also confirmed that he is in constant contact with the district administration and that every development is being closely monitored.
A senior official from the Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will conduct a detailed probe into the cause of the crash. The AAIB, a specialised agency under the ministry, is tasked with investigating serious aviation incidents in India to ensure accountability and improve safety standards. The helicopter was chartered from Ahmedabad and operated under Aero Trans Service Private Limited.
