Indian Tourist Dies as Two Helicopters Collide During Landing in Solukhumbu

SOLUKHUMBU: An Indian tourist was killed and a New Zealand citizen was injured when two helicopters collided during landing at Feruche in Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality-4, Solukhumbu, on Tuesday morning.

The accident involving helicopters operated by Fishtail Air and Dynasty Air occurred at 8:11 am, according to Police Inspector Mausam Tamang of the District Police Office, Solukhumbu.

Tamang identified the deceased as Indian national Vasant Kumar Balaramaramadu. The injured person, identified as Shailesh Krishna Patel, was rescued by a Prabhu Helicopter and taken to Mediciti Hospital in Lalitpur.

Police said Patel holds an Indian passport but is a New Zealand citizen. The body of the deceased was taken to a hospital in Lukla, police said.

Both pilots involved in the accident were safe, according to Tamang.

Police have yet to establish how many passengers were aboard the two helicopters at the time of the collision. Further details of the incident are being collected.