Munda injured after chopper crash lands

Ranchi, May 9 (IANS) Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda suffered multiple injuries Wednesday when the chopper in which he was travelling with his wife developed a technical snag and toppled to its side after crash landing at the airport here.

Munda and his wife Meera, who were on their way to Saraikela Kharsawa district to participate in a programme, were taken to hospital along with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Barkuwar Gagrai, security officer Manoj Singh and the pilot.

The chief minister suffered a right ankle fracture as well as injuries on his chest, neck and back, hospital sources said.

They were all declared out of danger and underwent MRI scans to determine the extent of the injuries.

"He (Munda) is out of danger. Doctors are treating him and a detailed medical report will be available after examinations are over," state Labour Minister Chandra Prakash Chaudhary told reporters.

State police chief G.S. Rath, chief secretary S.K. Chaudhary and senior officials rushed to the hospital.

Munda was scheduled to inaugurate a power station at Kuchai in Seraikela Kharswa district.

The chopper crash landed at 12.25 p.m. after it developed technical snags, an official said. It took off at 11.45 a.m. from Ranchi but could not land at Kuchai in Saraikela Kharsawa and turned back.

It landed on the ground from a height of about 25 feet in the air, police sources said.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered an enquiry.

Services to Ranchi airport have been hit, and will be restored only byevening.

The Aryanan Aviation chopper Augusta 009 was said to be 20 years old. In April, the chopper carrying Munda had to make an emergency landing in Jamshedpur after it developed a snag.