Hyderabad: A Chetak helicopter from the Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatanam crashed into a rivulet near Anakapally this morning killing one and injuring three including the pilot and co-pilot.

The chopper, on a training sortie, developed a technical snag and hit a high tension electricity wire before plunging into the river, Sarada, 50km away from Visakhapatanam.

The injured also included a female officer of the Indian Navy.

As the helicopter crashed, thousands of people from nearby villages rushed to the scene and helped the occupants out of the chopper.

One of the trainee pilots, Krishna, was seriously injured and later died at a local hospital.

A team of officials and rescuers rushed from the Eastern Naval base to the accident site and efforts were launched to salvage the wreckage of the helicopter.