Munda, wife escape as chopper crash lands

IANS

 

Ranchi, 09 May 2012: Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda and his wife had a narrow escape Wednesday when their chopper turned turtle and landed on its side at the airport here.

 

Munda and his wife Meera, who were on their way to Saraikela Kharsawa district to participate in a programme, received injuries and were taken to hospital.

 

The chief minister suffered a fracture in his right hand as well as injuries on his chest and neck.

 

"Munda and his wife Meera Munda are being treated in the hospital," Javed Akhtar, spokesperson of the Apollo Hospital, told IANS.

 

"He is out of danger. He has sustained injuries in his chest, neck and other parts," P.D. Sinha, a doctor at the hospital, told reporters.

 

The chopper crash landed at 12.25 p.m. after it developed technical snags, an official said. It took off at 11.45 a.m. from Ranchi but could not land at Kuchai in Saraikela Kharsawa district and turned back.

 

It landed on the ground from a height of about 25 feet in the air, police sources said.

 

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered an enquiry. Services to Ranchi airport have been hit, and will be restored only by evening.