Group Captain Varun Singh, sole survivor of chopper crash, had cheated death last year too; Know more

New Delhi: Group Captain Varun Singh, the lone survivor of Tamil Nadu Chopper Crash – who was under treatment at Command Hospital in Bengaluru – passes away at the hospital.

In an unfortunate incident last week, India’s Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 other defence personnel died after a military helicopter carrying them crashed near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu.

General Rawat was on his way to the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington to address the faculty and student officers of the Staff Course. The chopper crashed in the Nilgiris district.

Apart from his wife, CDS Rawat was accompanied by his DA Brigadier LS Lidder, SO Lieutenant Colonel Harjinder Singh and 9 others officials.

However, Group Captain Varun Singh, SC, Directing Staff at DSSC, happened to be the sole survivor of the crash, and was  undergoing treatment at Military Hospital in Wellington.

Gp Capt Varun Singh SC, Directing Staff at DSSC with injuries is currently under treatment at Military Hospital, Wellington.

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 8, 2021

The Shaurya Chakra awardee had survived with 80-85 per cent burns and the next few days were told to be critical for the officer.

Meanwhile, this wasn’t the first time Singh was battling for his life. Last year, he had dodged the death while flying a light combat aircraft.

Here’s what happened: 

The aircraft that Group Captain Varun Singh was flying suffered an unprecedented system failure, leading to the rapid loss of altitude with the aircraft tossing up and down in a ferocious manner.

At around 10,000 feet, when the aircraft experienced a total loss of control while pitching hazardously, Singh had the privilege to abandon the aircraft as a pilot. Though, while showcasing the higher standards of professionalism and courage, he chose to land the aircraft safely.

For his display of extraordinary decision making and skills, Group Captain Varun Singh was conferred with the Shaurya Chakra on Independence Day earlier this year.