Narrow escape for Gadkari as red carpet gets stuck in helicopter’s blades

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari escaped unhurt on Wednesday when the red carpet laid out for him was blown into the air and got entangled in the rotor blades of his helicopter while it was landing in Haldia, West Bengal. Photo: Special Arrangement.

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari had a narrow escape in West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district on Wednesday when a carpet got entangled with the blades of the helicopter he was travelling in.

The incident happened in Haldia in the morning when the Mr. Gadkari’s chopper was landing and a carpet was laid for him at the landing spot.

"Cloth got stuck in the wings of my helicopter while it was landing. But there is no accident. I am safe", Mr Gadkari, who arrived in Haldia to participate in an event at Haldia Dock Complex which is under Kolkata Port Trust said.

Television channels aired footage showing how the carpet got entangled with helicopter blades. Mr. Gadkari also said that the authorities should be more careful as carpets should not be placed near landing sites. “All passengers on board helicopter to Haldia are safe. Really appreciate the concerns and well wishes expressed,” the Minister later tweeted.