Akhilesh Yadav, wife have narrow escape as bird hits chopper

Lucknow, April 28 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had a narrow escape Sunday when his chopper was hit by a bird, officials said.

Yadav was accompanied by his wife Dimple Yadav, the MP from Kannauj, and Public Works Department Minister Shivpal Singh Yadav. He was returning from Saifai after attending the funeral of his uncle Ratan Singh Yadav when the incident took place.

Officials said an eagle hit the front window pane of the private chopper at an altitude of 3,000 feet, 12 km away from the Lucknow airport.

The pilots of the helicopter, however, managed to safely land the chopper at the airport.

Several ambulances, fire tenders and officials were rushed to the airport, officials told IANS.

Last week, former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati too had a narrow escape at the Lucknow airport when the rear wheel of the private plane she was travelling in got stuck during landing.