Varun Singh, the sole survivor of Indian Air Force chopper crash, succumbs to injuries

Group Captain Varun Singh, the sole survivor of the Indian Air Force helicopter crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu’s district last week, has succumbed to his injuries, informed the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday.

Varun Singh was undergoing treatment at the Bengaluru Command Hospital following the tragic air disaster on December 8. The incident claimed the lives of India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika, and other armed forces personnel on board.

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“IAF is deeply saddened to inform the passing away of braveheart Group Captain Varun Singh, who succumbed this morning to the injuries sustained in the helicopter accident on 08 Dec 21. IAF offers sincere condolences and stands firmly with the bereaved family,” tweeted the Indian Air Force from its official handle on the microblogging website.

Also read: Who was Madhulika Rawat, wife of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat?

On December 8, the IAF had confirmed about the crash around 2 pm, saying the Mi-17V5 helicopter with Gen Rawat on board met with an accident near Coonoor.

It has already ordered an Inquiry to ascertain the cause of the accident.

Also read: Gen Bipin Rawat, India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, dies in chopper crash: All you need to know

As Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Rawat was overseeing the implementation of an ambitious tri-services modernisation plan to bring synergy among the armed forces and enhance their overall combat capabilities.

Gen Rawat had served as the Chief of the Indian Army from December 17, 2016, to December 31, 2019.

Also read: Gen Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defence Staff, dies in chopper crash in Tamil Nadu

He was appointed as India’s first Chief of Defence Staff on December 31, 2019.