Bangalore: There was no "information blackout" in the aftermath of the crash of the ALH Dhruv helicopter belonging to the Sarang aerobatics team, Indian Air Force (IAF) has said.

Air Commodore G.S. Cheema, Air Officer Commanding, Yelahanka Air Force Station, told The Hindu that the priority after a crash was saving lives and that all necessary facts pertaining to the crash had been released.

A Court of Inquiry team and accident investigators have arrived, and are scouring the crash scene for clues to determine the cause of the accident, Air Cmde Cheema said.

Rescue effort

Describing the moments after the crash, Air Cmde Cheema said rescue teams were at the scene immediately with him personally overseeing the operations.

The pilot and the co-pilot were airlifted separately by helicopters to Command Hospital on Airport Road.

A helipad at the Army Service Corps (ASC) Centre in front of the hospital was activated immediately to receive the choppers.

Unfortunately, the co-pilot Squadron Leader Priye Sharma was declared brought dead.

The pilot Wing Commander V. Jetley was in a critical condition.

Cause not known

The cause of the crash is still not known and it is said a decision on the flights of the Sarang team will be made after the investigators submit the initial accident report.

Air Cmde Cheema said it was not easy to extricate the crew from the wreckage.

Preserving evidence

The crash scene had now been cordoned off and under guard so that the evidence was preserved for investigators.

Referring to incidents where it was claimed that the police were not informed, Air Cmde Cheema said the IAF personnel were busy co-ordinating rescue operations and offering succour to the bereaved families.

The IAF's liaison with the police was "fine" and that he had received all help from them.

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