Accident Report

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/chopper-crashes-pilot-dead/391283/

Chopper crashes, pilot dead
Express News Service
Posted: Nov 27, 2008 at 0505 hrs IST

Lucknow A Cheetah helicopter of the Army crashed into the Ramganga river in Bareilly on Wednesday. While pilot Captain Sachin Bhatia died, co-pilot Major KD Singh sustained serious injuries. The helicopter was on a routine flying mission. The police suspect the accident occurred after the helicopter developed a snag. “The helicopter is still in the river. We are helping the Army in bringing out the wreckage,” said Bareilly Senior Superintendent of Police B K Singh. The helicopter had taken off from the Bareilly Cantt. Pradeep Kumar Tripathi, Station Officer of Subhash Nagar police station, said: “Villagers informed us that Singh jumped out when the helicopter was falling into the river. The villagers rescued him from drowning.” Bhatia was trapped inside the helicopter and had died by the time he was rescued, said the officer. Singh is undergoing medical treatment at the Army Hospital. No army official was available for comment.

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20081128/haryana.htm#4
Helicopter Crash
Sachin Bhatia to be cremated today
Tribune News Service

Sirsa, November 27
The body of Flight Captain Sachin Bhatia, who was killed in the helicopter crash near Bareilly yesterday, was brought to Sirsa today.

The body was brought in a casket in an Indian Air Force aircraft. Sachin’s widow Neetika, father Ashok Bhatia and father-in-law O.P. Madan also came in the aircraft.

The mortal remains of Sachin Bhatia will be consigned to flames with full military honours tomorrow at 9 am.

The aircraft carrying the mortal remains of the victim landed at the local Air Force Station at 4.14 pm. Group Captain G.S. Bedi, Station Commander of the Air Force Station, deputy commissioner Suresh Goyal and kin of the victim received the body. Wing Commander C.N. Yadav, Wing Commander Sunit Agarwal, Squadron Leader V.N. Khare and DIPRO Satish Mehra were also present.

A 21-member contingent of the Indian Air Force gave guard of honour to the martyr by lowering their arms. Jawans of the Indian Air Force acted as pallbearers for the body and took it to the residence of the martyr with full military honours.

Bhatia was to celebrate his 27th birthday on December 3 and his first marriage anniversary on December 4. He received his primary education from Sirsa. After completing his schooling from Sainik School, Bhatia joined the Army through the NDA. He was commissioned as Flight Lieutenant in the Sikh Regiment of the Army and was posted in the aviation wing of the army. He was promoted as Flight Captain recently.

Family sources said the helicopter, which Bhatia was flying yesterday, would have crashed in an inhabited area after it developed a snag. However, Sachin used his skills to crash it into a canal. His co-pilot K.D. Singh was saved by some fishermen as his belt was opened but Sachin Bhatia got trapped in the chopper.

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http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20081128/1116040.html
Thouands bid tearful adieu to Sachin Bhatia
Sirsa | Friday, Nov 28 2008 IST

Thousands of people gathered to pay tribute to Captain Sachin Bhatia whose last rites were performed with full military honours here today. He had died in a chopper crash near Bareilly on November 26.

The mortal remains of Captain Bhatia were consigned to flames by his younger brother Sandeep Bhatia. Deputy Commissioner S K Goyal and Officer on Special Duty to Chief Minister, Haryana Dr K V Singh paid tributes on behalf of the State Government by placing wreath on the mortal remains of the deceased officer. Besides representatives of many political parties, other dignitaries were also present on the occasion. They all expressed grief over the death of the young officer and prayed to give strength to the bereaved family.

Sachin Bhatia, son of Ashok Bhatia was born on December 3, 1982 and completed his studies from Sainik School, Kunjpura. He was commissioned in the Army as Flight Lieutenant and was posted in Amritsar. He also served at Jammu and Kashmir, from where he was posted to Army Aviation Bareilly. His grief-stricken father said that he was proud of his son who sacrificed his life while serving the country.
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http://sirsanews.blogspot.com/2008/11/sachin-bhatia-young-army-pilot-of-sirsa.html
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http://sirsanews.blogspot.com/2008/11/captain-sachin-bhatia-cremated-fith.html

Captain Sachin Bhatia Cremated with Full Military and Civil HonoursSIRSA NEWS
29 November, 2008
All pictures can be clicked to enlarge or right click to open link in new window. Pictures: Amit Soni(09215771825); Videos: Nakul Jasuja

Click Here for Sirsa News Video of Funeral

THE MORTAL remains of Captain Sachin Bhatia who was killed when his Army helicopter co piloted by him met with a mishap and fell into a river Ram Ganga near Bareilly on Wednesday, were consigned to flames in the local Shivpuri Cremation grounds yesterday with full Civil and Military honours. Thousands of people belonging to cross section of society attended the funeral procession. Group captain Air Commander GS. Bedi from the local Air Force Station. placed a wreath on his body on behalf of Air Force, Dr, KV. Singh OSD to Haryana Chief Minister and Deputy Commissioner SK. Goyal placed wreaths on behalf of State Government. A contingent of Army, (82 Armed 10 Mech Dn.) fired 3 rounds in the air near his pyre to pay homage.The cortege was escorted by the local police led by SHO Ajay Sharma. His body in a casket wrapped in Tri-Colour arrived in the cremation grounds at 10.30 am. His in consoling family members including his mother and a large number of women were also present. Sachin’s younger brother lit the pyre. Major K. Dubey who along with Subedar Major Ved Prakash accompanied the coffin from Bareilly later while talking to news men said that Sachin along with Major K. Singh was on a TRAINING SORTY when the unfortunate mishap occurred. He said that the exact cause of death was still unknown as his post-mortem report was not yet received.