Corporate helicopter owned by LuLu International who issued this statement (from Outlook India) regarding the incident, which involved their CEO “Yusuff Ali, currently in Kerala, was on a short trip from his home in Kochi to visit a relative at a nearby hospital. Due to the sudden deterioration of weather conditions and heavy rains, the experienced pilots decided to make a precautionary landing at a safe place to prevent any risk to the life of the passengers or public at large. All passengers and crew underwent a necessary medical checkup and are safe” (one passenger is seen here leaving the helicopter unaided, but holding a cloth to his head). Yusuff Ali was later reported as having spinal surgery following the accident.
The helicopter was put down in a very small site adjacent to National Highway 66 and 200m south of its intended landing site in the college grounds of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies. Very little damage was sustained – the underside of the helicopter is not visible in most images online due to the tall grass, but is seen here during the recovery operation. The blades and fuselage do not appear damaged. PTI images. The full scene can be seen in this Indian Express video
