KOLKATA: Union minister Nititn Gadkari on Wednesday had a narrow escape while his helicopter was landing at Haldia in East Medinipur district as carpets laid on the helipad flew up and got entangled with the rotor blades of the chopper.
The minister after reaching here had flown in the chopper to inaugurate a biodiesel dispensing unit at the Haldia Dock Complex of the Kolkata Post Trust.
As the helicopter was landing, at least eight carpets flew up because of the wind generated by the rotor blades, and two of them got entangled with the blades. However, the pilot could take control and land the chopper safely. And the minister and other passengers alighted unhurt. The carpets were laid on the helipad to greet the minister who was to be given a guard of honour.
A smiling Gadkari later said: “The carpets were laid to greet me. Fortunately there was no accident and we escaped. I don’t hold anyone responsible as it happened because of the wind generated by the helicopter’s rotor blades.”