DPM, Paswan choppers grounded by hailstorm

Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani’s helicopter had to make an emergency landing at the campus of air relay station in Jethli village of Fatuha in Patna district, about 30 km from here, due to hailstorm. Sources said no injury was caused to Advani and others aboard the helicopter. Bihar BJP president Gopal Narayan Singh, who accompanied Advani, said the DPM left for Patna by road.

Singh said the helicopter carrying Advani from Bhagalpur to Patna was caught in the hailstorm a few minutes before it had to reach Patna airport forcing the pilot to make the emergency landing.

The hailstorm also forced the helicopter carrying LJP president Ram Vilas Paswan to make an emergency landing in an open field some three km from Patna airport. No injuries were caused to Paswan or any other aboard the chopper, LJP spokesman Sanjay Singh, who was with Paswan, said.