Group Captain Varun Singh: Group Captain Survivor of Helicopter Crash Dies in Hospital
Indian Army CDS General Bipin Rawat's helicopter crashed in the state of Tamil Nadu, the surviving group Captain Varun Singh died of his injuries.
The Indian Air Force confirmed his death in a tweet.
A tweet from the Indian Air Force said, "Group Captain Varun Singh, who was injured in a military helicopter crash in Kannur district of Tamil Nadu, has died."
''The Indian Air Force is deeply saddened to learn of the death of the brave group Captain Varun Singh. He succumbed to his injuries today after being injured in a helicopter crash on December 8, 2021. The Indian Air Force stands with their mourners in this difficult time'',The Indian Air Force tweeted.
It may be recalled that 13 people including CDS General Bipin Rawat and his wife were killed in the helicopter crash on December 8, while group captain Varun Singh was critically injured and was undergoing treatment at a hospital.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.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 15, 2021
According to PTI, Group Captain Singh was rushed to a military hospital in Wellington with severe burns after the accident but was later shifted to Bangalore.
It may be recalled that Group Captain Varun Singh had gone to pick up CDS General Bipin Rawat and was going to Wellington with him. General Rawat was to address cadets at the Defense Service Staff College in Wellington.
As soon as the news of the death of Group Captain Varun Singh came to light, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted condolences over his death.
Prime Minister Modi tweeted that 'Group Captain Varun Singh served the nation with pride, bravery and in a very professional manner. I was deeply saddened by his death. His full services to the nation will never be forgotten. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti. '
The country's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed deep sorrow over his death, tweeting that "the tragic death of Indian Air Force pilot group Captain Varun Singh cannot be described in words.''He was a true fighter who fought till his last breath.My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends''. We stand with the family in this hour of sorrow.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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 15, 2021
Pained beyond words to learn of the demise of IAF pilot, Group Captain Varun Singh. He was a true fighter who fought till his last breath. My thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family and friends. We stand firmly with the family, in this hour of grief. https://t.co/hZrdatjaAA
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 15, 2021
Varun Singh's uncle Akhilesh Pratap Singh is a former Congress MLA.
Dinesh Pratap Singh, elder brother of Krishna Pratap Singh, father of Group Captain Varun, said that Varun Singh was born in Delhi. His father was in the army, so Varun studied wherever he was.
Group Captain Varun's parents are currently based in Bhopal while his current posting was in Wellington, Tamil Nadu where he was living with his wife and two children.
Gadnish Pratap Singh says that his nephew Varun Pratap Singh successfully landed the new Air Force fighter jet LCA Tejas in 2020 without any damage in an emergency after a malfunction and that is why he is celebrating Independence Day this year. I was awarded the 'Shoriya Chakra' (honor of bravery).
Group Captain Varun Singh's younger brother Tanuj is a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy and his parents were with him in Mumbai when the news of the accident was received.