Mumbai: A lucky survivor of the helicopter crash carrying Oil and Natural gas Corporation (ONGC) employees on August 12 said he escaped death by dropping out from the emergency exit, but regretted he could not save the life of more than one of his colleagues as everything happened too quickly.

Recalling the traumatic experience, Anil Mahatre, an assistant engineer with ONGC said, "Everything happened in such a short span of time that I could not rescue more colleagues, something which I regret."

Mahatre was able to save only one of his fellow employee V S Mandoloi, whom he pushed him out of the chopper's emergency exit.

"When the chopper started jerking I sensed something was about to happen and became alert. I put on he life jacket and as the helicopter fell, I opened the door, pushed Mandoloi and jumped out," Mahatre said.

He said his experience of 14 years in the profession and familiarity with the functioning of the helicopters was responsible for his acting in a swift manner.

Mandoloi told an ONGC official on phone that as water gushed into the helicopter he and Mhatre tried to help other colleagues to free themselves from their seatbelts and move out of their helicopter but there was just not enough time.

He is reported to have said the helicopter had developed a snag on take off but continued until it was about 100km from the offshore.

The chopper crashed on August 11 three minutes after take-off, with 29 persons aboard.

PTI