Congress leader DK Shivakumar says that he is safe after the helicopter accident and he thanked the pilot for averting a major mishap by landing the chopper at the HAL, Bangalore, when it was hit by a bird.

The President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee was heading to Mulbagal to campaign for Adi Narayan, when the helicopter carrying him was hit by an eagle. As a result, the glass was broken into pieces, and the pilot and journalists accompanying him met with minor injuries in the incident. However, the pilot made an emergency landing of the chopper to avert a mishap.

Soon after the incident, KPCC president DK Shivakumar tweeted, “While on our way to Mulbagal, our helicopter met with an accident, in which my fellow passengers were injured. Thanks to the wishes of all Kannadigas, I am safe, and I thank the pilot for his quick response in making an emergency landing. Travelling to Mulbagal by road now. 🙏”

The Congress leader was being interviewed when the bird hit the chopper. Journalist Aditya Raj Kaul tweeted the video of the incident and wrote, “DK Shivakumar helicopter hit by a kite which shattered chopper glass from one side to pieces. Emergency landing of the Helicopter took place safely. DK was giving an interview to TV9 Kannada when the accident took place during election campaigning.”

Tejasvi Surya, the National President of BJP Yuva Morcha, tweeted, “The bird incident involving Sri DK Shivakumar’s helicopter is really worrisome. A major mishap is thankfully averted. The pilot who skilfully landed it must be appreciated. Glad that he and the journalists accompanying him are safe.”

However, this shocking incident did not DK Shivakumar from attending the campaign. Hours later, he tweeted some photos and captioned the with, “This crowd gathered at the front door today is a proof that Congress has won the hearts of Kannadigas. Election campaign was conducted today in favor of Adi Narayan, the Congress candidate of Mulbagilu Assembly Constituency. Congress guarantees will surely change the fate of Karunad.”