Tragic Air India Crash Claims Young Pregnant Couple
A young couple from Croydon, including a pregnant woman, were confirmed among the victims of the horrific Air India Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad, India.
Couple Killed in Horrific Plane Crash
Vaibhav Patel, 29, and Jinal Goswami, 27—seven months pregnant—were on their way back to the UK after a family baby shower in Gujarat. Their Boeing 787 Dreamliner ploughed into a residential area of Meghani Nagar just after takeoff on Thursday, 12 June.
Friends described the couple, who recently relocated from Southampton to Croydon, as “excited and full of plans for the future.” Their funeral took place on Monday.
Only One Survivor from 242 on Board
The doomed flight carried 242 passengers and crew: 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian. Miraculously, only one person survived—British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.
Rescue teams continue to comb through the devastation, with the death toll rising as over 30 bodies have now been recovered.
Community in Shock
The Croydon Business Association expressed deep sorrow:
“This devastating incident has profoundly affected the victims, their families, and the wider community. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to those who have tragically lost loved ones and everyone impacted by this heartbreaking event.”
UK Government Steps In
The UK Foreign Office has set up a dedicated consular helpline for worried friends and relatives of passengers on Flight AI171:
- Helpline Number: 020 7008 5000
Investigations are underway, focusing on the plane’s black boxes, pilot records, and potential technical or loading faults.
