PANCHTHAR, Feb 27: A chopper of Air Dynasty crashed near Pathibhara of Taplejung district on Wednesday afternoon, killing seven people including  Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari on board. 

“The snow was falling. The temperature was dipping. We were hurdling around a fire under a tree after collecting cattle fodder. A chopper approached flying with a big noise and smashed against the cliff, locally known as Tarebhir. It burst into flames, with plumes of smokes swirling into the sky,” Sukhbir Bhattarai, an eyewitness, described the Air Dynasty chopper crash that killed seven people including Tourism Minister Rabindra Adhikari on Wednesday.

According to Bhattarai, the accident was just a kilometer away from the place where they were resting.

"It was 12:45 pm. We were scared by the big sound. The chopper struck against the cliff. I took my mobile set from my pocket and informed the District Police Office about the incident. I could not believe my eyes. The incident site was to the south of Krishnabhir and north of Pathibhara," added Bhattarai

Ghanashyam Paudel, a local, said, “We rushed towards the incident as soon as we heard a boom…! The crash site was on fire when we reached there. It took one hour to reach the site. “I have never seen such a heart-rending incident before. The bodies were found charred beyond recognition when we reached the crash site surrounded by steep cliffs and inhospitable rocks and terrains." 

 
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