Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Who were Vaibhav Patel and Jinal Goswami, the UK-based couple expecting a child who died in the tragedy?

Time of India

6 hours ago

In a devastating turn of events, 29-year-old Vaibhav Patel and his 27-year-old wife Jinal Goswami, who was seven months pregnant, were among those killed in the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. The couple had travelled to India from London to celebrate their baby shower with loved ones.
I know many in Croydon are mourning the loss of Vaibhav Patel and Jinal Goswami after the tragedy in India. My thoughts are with their families and all those who lost loved ones. ❤️https://t.co/OF2KjpPFeR
A celebration turned into mourning
The couple had recently moved to Croydon from Southampton, where Vaibhav worked and had built a tight-knit community of friends. A decade-long friend, Nirav Patel from Southampton, shared how the pair had been elated about the upcoming arrival of their first child. They had married four years ago and were eagerly preparing to step into parenthood.
Nirav revealed that Vaibhav had no father, and carried the weight of responsibility for his family back in Gujarat. 'He was the big son holding everyone together,' he said, speaking about Vaibhav's quiet strength and relentless commitment to family.
Jinal Patel and Vaibhav Patel of Keliya Vasna village in Dholka were going to London after completing their wedding rituals, they lost their lives in a flight crash. pic.twitter.com/t5mwyQcDi4
Last call, final goodbye
Just two days before boarding the ill-fated flight, Vaibhav had called Nirav, excitedly sharing plans to return home. That phone call turned out to be their last conversation. Nirav remembered the countless memories they shared, travelling across India together, from Rajasthan to Goa, and expressed disbelief that their joyous story had ended in tragedy.
Remembered as a gentleman
Harshil Thaker, manager of Papa John's in Portswood where Vaibhav had previously worked, described him as a 'true gentleman.' He added that Vaibhav was a hardworking man, deeply rooted in his role as a family provider, and always carried himself with humility and kindness.
A catastrophic loss
The crash claimed over 270 lives, including 169 Indian nationals and 53 Britons. Among them were not just passengers, but futures, families, and stories like that of Vaibhav and Jinal—a young couple whose lives were blossoming, now remembered in silence and sorrow.
Their funeral took place in India on Monday, with grief hanging heavy over the ceremony that should have been a celebration of new life.