Nitin Gadkari's narrow escape: Red carpet for minister entangles with helicopter, all passengers safe

Haldia (West Bengal): Union minister Nitin Gadkari had a narrow escape on Wednesday when a red carpet laid out for him flew up and got entangled in the rotor blades of his helicopter while it was landing in West Bengal’s East Midnapore district. [caption id=“attachment_2310536” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Screengrab from the video[/caption] On a visit to the Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) of Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT), the red carpet rolled out for the Union Transport Minister was blown up by the chopper’s downdraft and got entangled in its rotor blades. The chopper, however, landed safely and Gadkari and rest of the passengers escaped unhurt. “Cloth got stuck in the wings of my helicopter while it was landing. But there is no accident. I am safe”, Gadkari, who was here to attend a programme, told reporters. “Carpet or flags should not have been placed (near the landing site). They should be careful about it,” he further added. The video of the incident showed that carpets and sheets placed near the helipad flying due to the wind created by the chopper blades when it was landing. Superintendent of Police, East Midnapore, Alok Rajoria said that nothing has happened during the landing of the minister’s chopper. Gadkari himself tweeted that he was safe after the mishap and thanked his supporters for their concern.

All passengers on board helicopter to Haldia are safe. Really appreciate the concerns and well wishes expressed

— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) June 24, 2015

Watch the full video here

Agencies