IT Correspondent
Mumbai, Dec 15:
Decorated air warrior Group Captain Varun Singh died at a military hospital in Bengaluru on Wednesday, a week after he was seriously injured in the chopper crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu, that killed CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 armed forces personnel.
Singh the lone survivor of the air crash that occurred on December 08, was air lifted from the Command Hospital in Wellington to the Command Hospital Bangalore (Karnataka) on Thursday last. He was on life support.
“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,” it said on Twitter.
Group Captain Singh, was on board the Russian-made chopper- Mi 17 V 5, as the liaison officer for the visit of Gen Rawat, India’s senior-most military officer, to the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington. In the past week, there had been several wishes and messages for the Shaurya Chakra award-winning officer.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in mourning his death. “Group Captain Varun Singh served the nation with pride, valour and utmost professionalism. I am extremely anguished by his passing away. His rich service to the nation will never be forgotten. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti,’ posted PM Modi.
The black box of the chopper has been recovered and a tri Service enquiry headed by Air Marshal Manvendra Singh, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Training Command, is being conducted. However now, with the death of Group Captain Varun Singh, all those who were aboard the ill-fated helicopter have passed away.
The final list of those killed in the air crash is: 1.CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, 2.Mrs Madhulika Rawat, 3.Brig Lakhbinder Singh Lidder (his Defence Adviser), 4. Lt Col Harjinder Singh (Staff Officer), 5.Wing Commander Prithvi Singh Chauhan, 6.Squadron Leader Kuldeep Singh, 7. Junior Warrant Officer Rana Pratap Das, 8.Junior Warrant Officer Arakkal Pradeep, 9.Havildar Satpal Rai, 10.Naik Gursewak Singh, 11.Naik Jitendra Kumar, 12.Lance Naik Vivek Kumar,13.Lance Naik B Sai Teja and 14. Group Captain Varun Singh.