Tragic end for Malayali pilot after helicopter crashes off Gujarat coast

MAVELIKARA: Three Coast Guard (ICG) personnel met a tragic end when their helicopter crashed into the Arabian Sea during a rescue mission in Gujarat's Porbandar. Among the causalities include Vipin Babu (39), a Malayali pilot and Senior Deputy Commandant of the Coast Guard. He was a native of Mavelikara Kandiyur.

The accident happened on Monday night. There were 4 people in the helicopter and one official was miraculously saved. The accident occurred during a rescue mission to help an injured crew member in a motor tanker named ‘Harileela’, lying 45 km from Porbandar coast. The advanced light helicopter(ALH) went out of control and crashed into the sea. Four ships and two planes were prepared for the rescue operation. This is the same copter that rescued 67 people during the recent cyclones in Gujarat.

Vipin Babu's body will be brought to Nedumbassery on Wednesday morning. The final rites will be performed at 1 pm on the house premises. Vipin, the son of retired Air Force officer RC Babu and Srilata Babu, returned home for vacation just two months ago. Vipin was residing in Delhi with family. Wife: Major Shilpa (Military Nurse, Delhi), a native of Palakkad. Son: Zenit (5). Vipin’s sister: Nishi Babu.