Bengaluru: In an unfortunate incident in the second week of February two advanced jets associated with the Suryakiran Aerobatic team crashed mid-air while rehearsing for the Aero India 2019. The hawks crashed near Yelahanka Air Force Station and two pilots managed to eject out while one passed away. Wing Commander Vijay Shalke and Squadron Leader Tejeshwar Singh escaped from the clutches of death and landed on the ground with severe injuries.
Uday Kumar
An RSS swayamsevak, Uday Kumar, runs a gaushala in Yelahanka. It was next to his house where both the pilots landed. At a mere 20ft from where the pilot landed was the jet which had fuel in it and the cylinders blasted almost every now and then. Uday gathered a few of his friends to help the pilots. The bursting of cylinders and the jet going ablaze did not dither Uday. He had the courage and presence of mind to extend help to the pilot who was fallen in the agricultural land. While on this mission he also noticed was another pilot was lying on the tar road and was hurt more than the one who fell on the agricultural land. He alerted a few more civilians around to extend help to the other pilot. Uday helped the pilot remove his shoes, belt and other accessories and make him a little comfortable post-catastrophic incident. He said the pilot remained calm, composed after the incident. The act of Uday and his friends is commendable for the fact that many would run away from the scene which involved fire, blasts and is life-threatening. Uday received a letter of appreciation from Rajya Sabha MP representing Karnataka Rajeev Chandrashekhar for it.
