Guwahati, November 3: A 47-year-old Indian national was killed and a 53-year-old New Zealand citizen of Indian origin was injured after two helicopters collided while attempting to land at a helipad in Nepal's Solukhumbu district on Tuesday morning.
The accident occurred at the Pheriche helipad, around 250 kilometres from Kathmandu. The helicopters involved were operated by Fishtail Air and Dynasty Air.
The deceased has been identified as Vasant Kumar Balara Madu, 47. The injured person is Shailesh Kishan Patel, 53, a New Zealand citizen of Indian origin.
According to Nepal's Civil Aviation Authority, the rotor blades of the two helicopters struck each other as the aircraft approached the helipad to land. DSP Nabinraj Budhathoki of the Solukhumbu District Police Office also confirmed that the collision took place at the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Pheriche helipad.
Patel was airlifted by another helicopter for medical treatment, while the deceased's body was transported to Lukla by helicopter.
CCTV footage of the incident has also emerged, capturing the moment the helicopters came dangerously close before their rotor blades collided.
Authorities are gathering further information about the circumstances surrounding the accident.
