Cellphone of tourist sent to lab for analysis
The Nilgiris police had sent the mobile phone of a tourist, who shot a video of IAF Mi17V5 helicopter moments before its clash, for forensic examination.
Joe Paul, a photographer from Coimbatore had shot the video, while accompanying a family of tourists to Coonoor. The video, showing the helicopter disappearing into mist before crashing had gone viral on social media. It is considered to be crucial evidence for the tragedy that claimed the lives of Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others on December 8. “The mobile phone has been sent to a forensic laboratory in Coimbatore to check the genuineness of the video. Also, details have been sought from Tangedco to know if there were any high transmission lines and high voltage poles nearby the crash site in Nanjappachatram area and where they were damaged,” said a police official.
In addition, the district police have also sought information from the Chennai Meteorological Department on the weather conditions in the region as poor visibility due to high mist was perceived to be the reason behind the crash. Police have so far inquired more than 20 eyewitnesses, including local villagers, 108 ambulance drivers, fire service personnel and others, who arrived first for the rescue operations.
Meanwhile, an IAF team continues to be involved in the process of recovering broken pieces of the ill-fated helicopter in the forest area. A team of Special Task Force (STF) is also involved in search operations in the forest area.