Amid an endeavor to land on a makeshift helipad in Malad, Maharashtra’s Raigad district, the pilot of a helicopter sustained injuries as the aircraft leaned to one side on Friday morning, relayed a law enforcement official.
The helicopter had been dispatched to transport Shiv Sena (UBT) luminary Sushma Andhare to a public gathering linked to the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in Baramati when the mishap unfolded.
According to accounts, the helicopter became askew as the pilot endeavored to touch down on the provisional helipad at Mahad approximately at 9:30 a.m. The pilot incurred injuries while the rotor blades of the helicopter sustained damage in the episode, per initial assessments.
Raigad is slated to host two rallies, one in Malad and another in Baramati. Andhare had journeyed to Malad to partake in the inaugural rally and was slated to deliver an address at the subsequent gathering in Baramati today. However, the campaign itinerary was disrupted owing to the occurrence.
Commenting on the sequence of events, Sushma Andhare remarked, “A gathering was convened at Mahad on Thursday. In light of the assault on our district leader last night, we convened a meeting here late into the night. Subsequently, I intended to depart for Baramati around 9 a.m. The helicopter encountered a delay of 15 minutes, and even upon its arrival, it conducted two to three circuits before finally alighting. Upon landing, there ensued a significant clamor, and a haze of dust enveloped us. The circumstances leading to the mishap will be subject to investigation by law enforcement.”
