D K Shivakumar survives scare after chopper suffers major bird hit

BENGALURU: Congress state president D K Shivakumar had a lucky escape when the helicopter he had boarded suffered a bird hit while taking off from the Jakkur aerodrome on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, Shivakumar, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Opposition leader Siddaramaiah and other leaders had released the party manifesto in the city. Shivakumar was headed to Mulbagal for campaigning by helicopter when the aircraft suffered a bird hit.

Shivakumar was on his way to Mulbagal for campaigning.

The chopper was on its way via Hoskote when a kite struck the windshield, completely breaking it. The pilot landed safely at the HAL airport and averted any mishap. Shivakumar later proceeded by road to Mulbagal.

Speaking about the incident, the Congress leader said, “I am safe due to God’s grace. The pilot avoided two kites, but a third one came from below and hit the windshield, breaking it into pieces. The pilot immediately landed at HAL airport”.