The Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad left behind numerous heart-wrenching stories, with one being that of Vaibhav Patel (29) and his wife Jinal Goswami (27). Returning to Ahmedabad from London for their first child's baby shower, Jinal was seven months pregnant. After celebrating these joyful moments with their family, they were heading back to London on June 12 when the tragic crash claimed their and their unborn child's lives.
On June 12, Air India's flight AI-171, departing from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport heading to London's Gatwick Airport, crashed shortly after takeoff. This disaster resulted in the deaths of two pilots, 10 crew members, and 229 passengers. Out of the wreckage emerged the sole survivor, Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, a resident of London.
Among the 241 victims were Vaibhav and Jinal, later confirmed through DNA testing. Vaibhav originally hailed from Keliya Vasana village in Dholka Taluka, Gujarat. His uncle, Balwant Patel, recounted that the couple wed two and a half years ago, and Vaibhav had moved to London two years prior. This time, he returned to Ahmedabad solely to prepare for the arrival of his first child.
A grand baby shower celebration for Jinal was held on Sunday, attended by the entire family. The day full of happiness has now become a tearful memory for the family. Just two days later on June 12, as they set off for London, little did anyone know it would be their last journey.
Vaibhav's uncle expressed that this tragedy is more than just the loss of a couple; it's the shattering of a family's dream, the end of hope for an unborn child, and the cessation of a future generation. The joys that were meant to be shared have transformed into lifelong sorrow. The family has not only lost a son and a daughter-in-law but also the future that was expected to come to life in two months.
