One Killed, Another Injured as Two Helicopters Collide in Solukhumbu

An Indian tourist was killed and another passenger injured after two helicopters collided while landing at Pheriche helipad in Solukhumbu district on Tuesday morning.

The accident occurred at around 8:11 am in Ward 4 of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality when helicopters operated by Fishtail Air and Air Dynasty collided during landing. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, the rotor blades of the two helicopters struck each other, causing the accident.

The deceased has been identified as 47-year-old Vasanth Kumar Balaramaramadu, a resident of Chennai in India’s Tamil Nadu state. He was travelling aboard the Fishtail Air helicopter.

The injured passenger has been identified as 49-year-old Shailesh Krishna Patel, a New Zealand citizen of Indian origin. He was airlifted to Mediciti Hospital in Lalitpur by a Prabhu Helicopter for treatment.

Both pilots sustained minor injuries and were also transported to Kathmandu for further medical care.

Police said the deceased’s body was taken to a hospital in Lukla. The number of passengers aboard the two helicopters at the time of the collision has yet to be confirmed.

Police and aviation authorities are gathering further details, while an investigation into the incident is underway.