Lone survivor of chopper crash dies; he was a fighter, says father

The Indian Air Force said in a tweet that it is “deeply saddened to inform the passing away of braveheart Group Captain Varun Singh, who succumbed this morning to the injuries sustained in the helicopter accident on 08 Dec 21”. The Air Force said that it “offers sincere condolences and stands firmly with the bereaved family”.

Singh, 39, was serving as Directing Staff at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, where the CDS was headed for a lecture last week. A decorated Air Force officer, Singh was awarded the Shaurya Chakra on Independence Day this year for averting a mid-air accident after his Tejas Light Combat Aircraft suffered a technical glitch on October 12 last year.

Media outside Command Hospital, where Group Captain Varun Singh was being treated, in Bengaluru, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. (PTI Photo/Shailendra Bhojak)

Reacting to news of Singh’s death, President Ram Nath Kovind, the supreme commander of the armed forces, tweeted: “Sad to learn that Group Captain Varun Singh breathed his last after putting up a valiant fight for life. Though badly injured in the chopper crash, he displayed the soldierly spirit of valour and indomitable courage. The nation is grateful to him. My condolences to his family.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Group Captain Varun Singh served the nation with pride, valour and utmost professionalism. I am extremely anguished by his passing away. His rich service to the nation will never be forgotten. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti.”

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “Pained beyond words to learn of the demise of IAF pilot Group Captain Varun Singh. He was a true fighter who fought till his last breath. My thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family and friends. We stand firmly with the family, in this hour of grief.”

Singh is survived by his parents, wife and children. The family has been in Bengaluru’s Air Force Command Hospital, where he was being treated for severe burns after being moved from a military hospital in Wellington on December 9.

Singh belonged to a family of defence personnel. His father K P Singh retired as Colonel from the Indian Army and his younger brother Lt Commander Tanuj Singh is a serving officer in the Indian Navy.

Speaking to The Indian Express in Bengaluru, Singh’s father K P Singh said, “He was a fighter and will continue to remain an inspiration for the young generation. We are proud of him.”

Singh’s uncle, Akhilesh Pratap Singh, said the family was shattered. “He suffered 95 per cent burns in the crash but we were hopeful that he would make it. Since childhood he has faced harsh situations and emerged victorious. There were complications during his birth and the doctors had given up. He was a premature baby.”

Referring to the Tejas incident after which Singh was awarded the Shaurya Chakra, Singh’s uncle said, “During his professional journey as well, he managed well when his flight encountered a technical snag… He wrote the letter to his school which is a must-read by school children.”

In a letter he wrote in September to students of his alma mater Army Public School, Chandimandir, Chandigarh, Singh wrote, “It is ok to be mediocre. Not everyone will excel at school and not everyone will be able to score in the 90s. If you do, it’s an amazing achievement and must be applauded. However, if you don’t, do not think that you are meant to be mediocre. You may be mediocre in school but it is by no means a measure of things to come in life.”

Akhilesh Pratap Singh added that Singh cleared the National Defence Academy entrance exam in his first attempt. “Everything about aviation used to appeal to him. It was his dream to become a fighter pilot and he accomplished it… We prayed daily but unfortunately he could not make it. He fought like a hero,” he said.

He said the family would leave for Bhopal with the officer’s mortal remains on Thursday and the last rites will be performed the following day, on December 17.

At Bhopal’s Sun City, where Singh’s parents lived, their neighbour, Retired Colonel N K Tyagi, said, “Varun was last home during Diwali and we exchanged pleasantries as always. Despite the news of this tragic accident, we were hoping against hope for his recovery. Every day, Varun’s father would send us updates on his health along with a request to pray for his recovery.”

(With inputs from Iram Siddique, Bhopal)