One dies in helicopter accident

Dehradun, May 22 (UNI) An employee of a private aviation company today died as he came in contact of the moving rotor blades of a helicopter at Badrinath in Chamoli district, police said.

They said a helicopter of Prabhatam Aviation had landed with tourists at Kedarnath when one of the workers Srinivas Kurmawali (20) suddenly came in range of moving rotor blades. His head was chopped off killing him instantly.

Reacting to the incident, the local people who had been opposing the helicopter services in the region, beat up the captain and damged the aircraft.

Refusing to allow any aircraft to land there, the locals forced another helicopter to retreat.

Miffed people observed bandh at Somprayag, Fata and Kedarnath areas to protest against the helicopter services.

Meanwhile, aviation services have been temporarily suspended and extra police forces have been deployed to quell the unrest.

UNI