Altitude helicopter crash kills six; woman passenger survives

KATHMANDU: At least six persons were killed after an Altitude Air helicopter crashed into the dense forest area bordering Dhading and Nuwakot district this morning, leaving only a woman passenger alive, the officials said.

According to Nima Nuru Sherpa, Managing Director at Altitude Air Pvt Ltd, an AS350 B3e chopper crash-landed in a dense forest area at Meghang Rural Municipality in Nuwakot district.

Rescuers recovered six bodies from the incident site this afternoon, Sherpa said.

The deceased have been identified as senior captain Nischal KC, Hiromi Komatsu (68) from Japan, Dilli Bahadur Gurung (40) of Ramechhap, Chhiri Sherpa (37) of Dolakha, Sunil Tamang (22) of Sindhupalchowk and Chhowang Nurbu of Gorkha.

Lho Ani Dolma Diki of Gorkha who suffered injuries to her lower body part was rescued alive.

The chopper lost contact at around 8:00am after it took off from Samagaun with a patient and other five passengers on board for Kathmandu at 7:40am.

"The chopper piloted by senior captain Nischal KC was supposed to land at TIA at 8:18 am,” Raj Kumar Chhetri, general manager at TIA, said.

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