BENGALURU: Group Captain Varun Singh , who was the lone survivor from the Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter crash that claimed the lives of India’s first CDS General Bipin Rawat , his wife and others, passed away at the IAF Command Hospital here early on Wednesday.
The Mi-17V5 helicopter crash had claimed 13 of the 14 people on the same day, while Group Captain Singh was moved from Wellington’s Military Hospital to Command Hospital on December 9, after getting initial treatment in Wellington.
Pained beyond words to learn of the demise of IAF pilot, Group Captain Varun Singh.He was a true fighter who fough… https://t.co/kCQrUTn7tq
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) 1639553821000
Taking to Twitter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled Group Captain Singh’s death saying, “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.”
Group Captain Varun Singh served the nation with pride, valour and utmost professionalism.
I am extremely anguished… https://t.co/hJuQlHuFYM
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 1639552783000
Until Tuesday, doctors had maintained that his condition was “critical but stable”, and on Wednesday, the IAF said in a tweet: “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.”
A more detailed official statement is expected later in the day.
Deeply pained to learn about the passing away of Group Captain Varun Singh, who was battling with the injuries afte… https://t.co/dc87KeWWo4
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) 1639553681000
Group Captain Singh was travelling with General Rawat as his liaison officer for a visit to the Wellington-based Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), where the CDS was to deliver a lecture.
He was conferred the Shaurya Chakra in August for averting a possible mid-air accident after his Tejas light combat aircraft developed a major technical snag last year.
An ace test pilot in his 40s, winner of the Shaurya Chakra for gallantry and aspiring astronaut who had applied for India’s Gaganyaan manned space mission, Group Captain Singh is survived by his wife and their son, 11, and daughter, 8.
Singh was born to a soldier’s family, originally from Uttar Pradesh’s Deoria district, but settled now in Bhopal.
Father Col.(retired) KP Singh was with Army Air Defence, while his brother is with the Navy.His mortal remains will be sent to Bhopal for the last rites.
The nation mourned the decorated officer’s death.PM Narendra Modi said Group Captain Varun Singh’s “rich service to the nation will never be forgotten”, while defence minister Rajnath Singh called the officer “a true fighter who fought till his last breath”.In his message, Union home minister Amit Shah expressed his condolences to the family.
Group Captain Singh was among the IAF test pilots to apply for the Gaganyaan programme, but couldn’t make the cut.A senior officer associated with astronaut selection at Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) said: “He cleared some of the initial tests, but was not among the four selected finally.”
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