Kedarnath Helicopter Crash: Maharashtra Couple and Toddler Killed; Son Survives After Staying Behind🚁

Tragedy at Kedarnath: Helicopter Crash Claims Seven Lives 🙏🚁

What Happened?📍

Seven people lost their lives when a helicopter heading to the Kedarnath shrine crashed early Sunday morning in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district. The crash site was located in the forests of Gaurikund amid poor visibility.

A Family from Maharashtra Among Victims👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Among the deceased was a family from Yavatmal, Maharashtra — Rajkumar Jaiswal, a transport businessman, his wife Shraddha, and their two-year-old daughter Kashi. Fortunately, their son Vivaan survived as he stayed back with his grandfather in Pandharkawda. The family had left from Wani in Yavatmal on June 12 for the Kedarnath pilgrimage.

Others Who Lost Their Lives🕊️

The pilot, Lt Col (retired) Rajveer Singh Chauhan, a member of the Badrinath-Uttarakhand Temple Trust, Vikram Singh Rawat, and two other passengers — Vinood Devi (66) and Tushti Singh (19) from Uttar Pradesh — also died in the tragic crash.

What Caused the Crash?🌫️

According to Rudraprayag District Disaster Management Officer Nandan Singh Rajwar, the helicopter crashed due to zero visibility caused by bad weather. The Civil Aviation Ministry has ordered the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to probe the incident.

Yatra Helicopter Services Suspended⛔ 

Following the tragedy, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the suspension of helicopter services on the Chardham Yatra route for two days to ensure safety.

Timeline of the Flight⏱️

The helicopter took off from Guptkashi at 5:10 AM and landed at the Kedarnath helipad at 5:18 AM. It departed again at 5:19 AM for Guptkashi but crashed near Gaurikund shortly afterward.

Recent Incidents Raise Concerns⚠️

This accident adds to a series of recent aviation mishaps in the region:

• On May 8, a helicopter flying to Gangotri Dham crashed in Uttarkashi, killing six people.
• On June 7, another helicopter heading to Kedarnath made an emergency landing due to a technical fault; the pilot was injured but the five passengers were rescued safely.
• In a separate incident, an Air India flight from Ahmedabad to London crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in 241 fatalities and more casualties on the ground.

Pilot’s Family Awaits Ceremony That Will Never Happen👶

The pilot, Lt Col (retired) Rajveer Singh Chauhan, aged 37 from Jaipur, had rejoined duty just 20 days ago after spending time with his family and his four-month-old twins. His father, Govind Chauhan, shared that they were planning a traditional Rajasthani jalwa pujan (ceremony for newborns) on June 30, but the tragic crash has left the family devastated. Lt Col Chauhan had served in the Indian Air Force for 14 years before retiring and joining a private helicopter company in Dehradun last October.

Our Thoughts Are With the Families🙏

This heartbreaking incident has cast a shadow over the Chardham Yatra season. May the departed souls rest in peace and may their families find strength in this difficult time.