From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, May 2: The helicopter flying KPCC Chief D K Shivakumar to Kolar for election campaigning along with media crew, who were interviewing him, made an emergency landing as a big eagle struck against it near Hoskote on Tuesday afternoon.

The helicopter took off from Jakkur airport in Bengaluru around 12.15 pm for a Congress rally at Mulbagal in Kolar district. The eagle struck against the helicopter near Hoskote and the impact shattered its glasses. The pilot, immediately made a crash land at the HAL airport.

The pilot, Shivakumar and others inside the helicopter were safe.

The KPCC chief said: “The helicopter had flown for about 7 to 8 minutes after taking off. When we reached near Hoskote, the pilot encountered three eagles. Though the pilot lowered the height and managed to avoid two of the eagles, the third one attacked and the pilot exhibited presence of mind to immediately crash land at the HAL airport.’’

“The media were interviewing me on the Congress party’s election manifesto, which was released in the morning by AICC President Mallikarjuna Kharge,’’ he said explaining that it was an unexpected incident and all of us are safe.

“My belief in god and divine protection helped me and saved all of us,’’ he said pointing out that he proceeded to Mulbagal by road as alternative helicopter was not immediately available.