Latest news with #ArjunManubhaiPatolia


New Indian Express
a day ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Indian- origin UK man, father of two dies in Air India crash after honouring late wife's final wish
In a week marked by unimaginable grief, the story of Arjun Manubhai Patolia stands out as the most tragic among the victims of the Air India Flight AI 171 disaster. A devoted husband and father, he lost his life shortly after honouring his late wife's final wish, and now leaves behind two young daughters in London. The 36-year-old Indian-origin man lost his life in Thursday's catastrophic crash of Air India Flight AI‑171, just hours after performing the final rites for his wife in Gujarat . He had returned to his ancestral village of Vadiya, in Amreli district, to fulfil his wife Bharatiben's dying wish of immersing her ashes in the waters of the Narmada River . Bharatiben had passed away in London just a week prior. With two young daughters (aged 4 and 8) awaiting their return in the UK, Patolia performed the immersion rites alongside family in Vadiya. Soon after, he boarded the Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick from Ahmedabad. Arjun's nephew, Krish Jagdish Patolia told IndiaToday, 'It's heartbreaking. We have lost both of them in one week.' His daughters now face an unimaginable reality, both parents taken from them in the span of seven days


Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
His wife died a week ago and then he lost his life in Ahmedabad plane crash after immersing her ashes. 2 kids left waiting in London
The Air India Flight AI171 crashed after takeoff from Ahmedabad. Arjun Manubhai Patolia died in the crash. He was returning to London after his wife's death. He fulfilled her wish to immerse ashes in the Narmada River. The crash killed many passengers and crew. Only one person survived. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site. London-based, Arjun Patolia was one of the passengers in the ill-fated Air India flight AI171. (Picture courtesy- FaceBook) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads About Ahmedabad air plane crash In a week marked by unimaginable grief, the story of Arjun Manubhai Patolia stands out as one of the most heart-wrenching from the wreckage of Air India Flight AI171 . As communities across India and the UK mourn the victims of one of the deadliest aviation tragedies in recent history, the tale of a devoted husband who died honouring his wife's final wish is resonating deeply with the Manubhai Patolia, 36, was a UK-based professional residing in London. An MBA graduate from Liverpool John Moores University, he had travelled to his ancestral village of Vadiya in Gujarat's Amreli district to carry out the final rites of his wife, Bharti Patel , reported India Today. She had passed away just a week earlier in London, and her last wish was for her ashes to be immersed in the holy waters of the Narmada River—her completed the rituals with relatives in Gujarat and was preparing to return home to his two young daughters, aged 4 and 8, who had remained in the UK. On Thursday, he boarded Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, unaware that his journey would end in tragedy. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner , crashed just minutes after takeoff, ploughing into a medical college hostel in a residential area, killing 264 people. Only one person nephew, Krish Jagdish Patolia, confirmed his uncle's presence on the flight to India Today. According to Krish, Arjun had specifically taken Flight AI171 to return to London and be reunited with his daughters. The loss of both Arjun and Bharti within days has devastated their AI-171 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad International Airport on Thursday, June 12. Videos circulating online captured the horrifying moments as the aircraft struggled to gain lift before plunging into a fireball. On board were 230 passengers—including 169 Indians and 53 British nationals—and 12 crew Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and met with injured survivors at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital on Friday. A team of 70 to 80 doctors has been deployed for post-mortem examinations, with five victims identified and handed over to their families so far. Only one person survived the tragic air crash.