IS THIS THE SAME DAN BAHADUR SHAI WHO WITH Princess Prekshya DON THE CRASH
A helicopter carrying six people including a member of the Nepalese royal family has crashed in north-western Nepal.

Princess Prekshya, who is the younger sister of Nepal's Queen Komal, died in the accident.

The authorities say that rescue helicopters have reached the crash site near Lake Rara some 550 km (340 miles) from Kathmandu.

It is not yet clear what caused the crash.

The 180-metre (590-foot) deep lake, situated at 3,062 metres (10,044 feet) altitude with a 13-kilometre (eight-mile) radius, is Nepal's largest.

Royal tragedy

State-run Nepal Radio said the helicopter was flying from the south-western town of Nepalgunj when it lost contact with the airport tower.


The AFP news agency reports that the passengers on the helicopter included Dan Bahadur Shahi, a retired government employee, and Rishi Kumar Khatri, a medical doctor.

Two other victims passengers were identified as Sharda Singh and Iswsor Basnyet.

Princess Preksha was married to Prince Dhirendra, the youngest brother of the late king, Birendra.

Prince Dhirendra was also killed in the palace massacre committed by Crown Prince Dipendra, in which Nepal's former king and queen died along with eight other members of the royal family.