Shiv Sena UBT leader Sushma Andhare's scheduled chopper crashes in Mahad (VIDEOS)

Kolhapur (Maharashtra): Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare on Friday escaped an accident when a helicopter she was scheduled to take crashed in Mahad, Maharashtra, just before she boarded.

Andhare confirmed both she and the pilot were safe. The exact reason of the crash has not been ascertained yet.

The pilot was rescued by local villagers.

Speaking to reporters, Andhare said she was supposed to leave for election rallies in Mandangad and Roha when the crash took place minutes before her scheduled departure. "We were near the helipad when the helicopter crashed," she said.

"The chopper hovered for two-three seconds and suddenly there was a loud noise. I did not understand anything at first," Andhare said.

"People around us informed me about the incident," she said. "I was worried about the captain whether he was safe or not, but the captain is fine," she added. She thanked God that the incident happened before she boarded.