New Zealander injured in fatal helicopter collision near Everest base camp
A 49-year-old New Zealander was injured after two helicopters collided while attempting to land in Nepal's Solukhumbu district on Tuesday. An Indian national was killed in the accident, which occurred near Mount Everest's base camp. The helicopters were ferrying trekkers when the collision took place.
Key facts
5 facts
- Two helicopters collided at a helipad in Pheriche, Nepal
- A 47-year-old Indian national died in the crash
- Shailesh Kishan Patel, a 53-year-old New Zealander, was injured
- The collision occurred on Tuesday morning around 8am local time
- The aircraft were operated by Fishtail Air and Dynasty Air
The full story
1 min read · 4 outlets
A New Zealander has been injured after two helicopters collided while attempting to land in Nepal's Everest region on Tuesday. The collision occurred at a helipad in Pheriche, located at 4200m altitude. One helicopter was operated by Fishtail Air and the other by Dynasty Air.
A 47-year-old Indian national died at the scene. The collision happened just after 8am local time when the two aircraft approached the landing site from opposite directions. Footage shows one helicopter's rotor blades shearing the tail from the other craft before both fell to the ground.
The injured New Zealander, identified as 53-year-old Shailesh Kishan Patel, was being treated at Medicity Hospital in Kathmandu. A pilot from the Dynasty Air helicopter also sustained injuries and was receiving treatment.
The helicopters were operating during the peak trekking season when they are used to transport trekkers and cargo. One official stated the Fishtail Air helicopter was carrying passengers being rescued from the region.
How it developed
- Tue 3 Nov, 7:53pmThe New Zealander has been identified as 53-year-old Shailesh Kishan Patel
Where reports differ
- One report states the Dynasty Air helicopter was only carrying cargo, while another says the crash involved passengers and crew
- The age of the injured New Zealander is reported as 49 in one source and 53 in another
Compiled from reports by NZ Herald, 1News, Otago Daily Times and Stuff.