
Gujarat Parents Rescheduled Flight To Surprise Daughter In UK, Killed In Ahmedabad Plane Crash
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Dhavni Patel's parents and aunt wanted to surprise her by rescheduling their flights earlier than expected on the ill-fated day of the Ahmedabad plane crash.
In heartbreaking news, a couple from Gujarat, who wanted to surprise their daughter studying in London, were among the 241 people who died in the Ahmedabad plane crash on Thursday.
Dhavni Patel's parents and aunt wanted to surprise her by attending her convocation ceremony, earlier than their expected visit. However, what could have been a joyous family gathering ended in tragedy instead after the devastating plane crash.
Rajnikant Patel and Divyaben Rajnikant, along with Dhavni's aunt, had earlier planned to travel on June 17, but they moved their plans to surprise their daughter and spend more time with her, according to a report by NDTV.
Dhavni found out about the tragedy in the UK just as another member of the family, Parth Patel, lost her mother Hemangi Ben in the devastating crash in Ahmedabad, mere months after his father died.
Anand MP Mitesh Patel, a friend of Rajnikant Patel, visited their home to offer his condolences to Parth. Their experience is one of numerous heartbreaking accounts from families who lost loved ones in the passenger jet tragedy.
A total of 241 of the 242 passengers on board and 10 from the BJ Medical College hostel are among the at least 265 killed in the Ahmedabad Air India (AI) plane crash on Thursday afternoon.
While the Gujarat government is yet to confirm, the remaining casualties are suspected to be local residents in the vicinity of the hostel at the time of the crash.
The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner plane crashed within minutes of take-off hitting the mess building of BJ Medical College Civil Hospital and the Atulyam Hostel, where senior residents doctors stayed.
Among the confirmed fatalities from the aircraft was Vijay Rupani, the former chief minister of Gujarat (2016-2021), who was reportedly en route to London to meet his family. However, amidst the tragedy, a miracle emerged: Ramesh Viswashkumar, approximately 40 years old, was confirmed as the sole survivor.
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NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Family Mourns Son Lost In Plane Crash Days After Father's Death
Ahmedabad (Gujarat): In a heart-wrenching incident, the family of Lawrence Daniel Christian, one of the 241 passengers who died in the Air India plane crash en route to London, mourned yet another loss just days after the death of the family's patriarch. Lawrence, who had been living in London with his wife for the past one and a half years due to work commitments, had recently returned to Ahmedabad on leave following his father's demise. Tragically, his journey back to London ended in disaster, leaving the Christian family shattered once again. While speaking to ANI, his mother, Raveena Daniel Christian, said, "...He was living in London with his wife for the last 1.5 years due to work. He came here on leave after my husband's death 15 days was returning to London and we also went..." #WATCH | Ahmedabad, Gujarat | Lawrence Daniel Christian's mother, Raveena Daniel Christian, says, "...He was living in London with his wife for the last 1.5 years due to work. He came here on leave after my husband's death 15 days was returning to London and we also went… — ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2025 She could not finish the sentence as grief overtook her. The Christian family had accompanied Lawrence to the airport to bid farewell, unaware that it would be the last time they would see him alive. Additional Medical Superintendent of Civil Hospital Dr Rajnish Patel said, "...So far, DNA samples of 15 people who died have been remains of three dead have been handed over to their families..." Meanwhile, Retired Captain and aviation expert Alok Singh has shared his insights on the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, which resulted in the loss of 241 lives. Mr Singh attributed the crash to possible causes such as loss of thrust on both engines, bird strike, pilot error, or technical fault. Alok Singh said, "This is a very tragic incident. It will be marked as Black Day in world aviation industry. This is the rarest of rare incidents. From the video, it is clear that the aircraft stopped producing lift. The reason for this could be loss of thrust on both engines, which could have happened due to fuel starvation, or the engine could have stopped getting fuel. A bird strike is also a possibility. This can also be a pilot error. It can also be a technical fault." Mr Singh emphasised the importance of the black box, which records crucial data and cockpit conversations. He explained that the data from the black box would be analysed to determine the exact cause of the crash. On Thursday, the Air India flight AI171 was en route to London from Ahmedabad when it crashed shortly after takeoff from the airport, ramming into a doctors' hostel of BJ Medical College in Gujarat's Ahmedabad. There were 242 people on board the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Of the passengers, 241 died in the crash. The lone survivor, identified as Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment.


India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
UK national jumped out of emergency exit in Indian aircraft disaster
NEW DELHI, India: Ramesh Viswashkumar, a 40-year-old British national, has been identified as the sole known survivor of the Air India crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, which claimed 241 lives. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner headed to London's Gatwick Airport with 232 passengers and 10 crew members, crashed 32 seconds after take-off, plowing into a medical college hostel near the airport. Miraculously, Viswashkumar managed to survive what is being called one of the worst aviation disasters in recent history. According to officials, he was seated in seat 11A, near an emergency exit, and somehow escaped the wreckage—possibly by jumping out—before or just after impact. Senior Ahmedabad police officer Vidhi Chaudhary stated, "He was near the emergency exit and managed to escape by jumping out the emergency door." From his hospital bed, Viswashkumar described the harrowing aftermath. "When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital," he told the Hindustan Times . It is not yet confirmed whether he jumped before or after the crash. Footage shown on Indian television channels appeared to show a man with facial injuries and a bloodstained white shirt limping down a road. The man, who resembles Viswashkumar and was later seen in hospital photographs, told bystanders that "they're all inside," referring to the other passengers. Viswashkumar had been visiting family in India and was returning to the UK with his brother, Ajay, who was seated elsewhere on the plane. "He only said that he was fine, nothing else," said Ajay Valgi, a cousin based in Leicester, England, who spoke to the BBC . The family has not yet received any information about Ajay's fate. "We're not doing well. We're all upset," Valgi added. Viswashkumar, who lives in the UK, is married and has a son. The crash site was a scene of devastation. The aircraft struck a residential zone near the airport and tore into the lunchroom of a medical hostel. Initial reports put the death toll at 294, but police later clarified that the number was inflated due to body parts being counted more than once. The current toll stands at over 240 dead, including several on the ground. Authorities continue rescue operations, though they admit the chance of finding more survivors is slim. "Chances are that there might be more survivors among the injured who are being treated in the hospital," said officer Chaudhary. News of a sole survivor has gripped the public imagination and triggered emotional reactions on social media. Many people expressed amazement, calling it a miracle or an act of divine intervention. The story of Viswashkumar's survival is already being compared to other rare instances of individuals living through catastrophic air disasters alone. Among those recalling their brushes with such tragedies is George Lamson Jr., who was the only survivor of a 1985 Galaxy Airlines crash in Reno, Nevada. He shared that news of the India crash and Viswashkumar's survival "shook" him. In 2009, 12-year-old Bahia Bakari survived a Yemenia Airways crash in the Indian Ocean, and in 2006, co-pilot Jim Polehinke was the only survivor of a Comair flight that crashed in Kentucky. Cecelia Crocker, then a young girl, survived the 1987 Northwest Airlines Flight 255 crash in Michigan, which killed 154, including her immediate family. Now, Ramesh Viswashkumar joins this small, tragic fraternity of lone survivors. While the investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, and families await word on missing loved ones, his story stands out as a beacon of hope in the midst of overwhelming loss.


Hans India
2 hours ago
- Hans India
Gujarat minister lauds forensic experts working overtime for DNA testing of plane crash victims
Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, who has been sharing timely and regular updates about DNA testing of the victims at Ahmedabad crash site, on Sunday penned a 'note of praise' for the dedicated team of forensic experts working relentlessly and tirelessly to confirm the identity of victims, by matching their DNA samples. After the ill-fated Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner met with a devastating fate on June 12, killing 241 passengers barring a lucky one in the catastrophic crash, a team of 36 forensic experts have been tirelessly working, with many going beyond working hours, to locate and verify the remains of victims from among hundreds of charred bodies. Harsh Sanghavi took to X and wrote a heartfelt tribute for the forensic experts who have gone beyond the call of duty and are putting in extra hours to ensure that families of victims get the remains, as early as possible. 'Tribute to the Dedication of FSL Forensic Experts truly remarkable is the personal sacrifices being made by the team of 36 dedicated forensic experts,' he wrote. He made a special mention of a forensic expert whose mother is currently fighting for her life, with only 20 per cent heart function, and was scheduled for urgent surgery and said, 'despite the personal turmoil, this expert remains committed to DNA testing efforts". He further noted: 'Eight of the women experts on the team are mothers of children aged 3 years or less. Despite the challenges of caring for their young ones, they have put their family's needs aside to focus on the critical task at hand.' 'Their selflessness and dedication to duty are a testament to their professionalism and compassion. We salute these unsung heroes who, despite their personal struggles, are working tirelessly day and night to help bring closure to the families affected by the tragedy,' he added. Notably, the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where DNA testing is being done remains in the thick of chaos as family members of deceased fliers scramble to get the DNA verification done at the earliest possible. Authorities are finding it hard to convince them about the 'delay' in handover of bodies and remains. Meanwhile, 22 more DNA samples were matched till Sunday noon, taking the total number of matched DNA samples to 44, so far.