Grief engulfed families of the seven victims killed in the tragic air ambulance crash in Jharkhand’s Chatra district, as a father remembered his final conversation with his son hours before the fatal incident.
The Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd Beechcraft C90 aircraft, registered VT-AJV, was operating a medical evacuation flight from Ranchi to Delhi when it crashed in Kasariya Panchayat under Simaria block at around 7.30 pm on Monday. All seven persons on board, including two crew members, lost their lives.
‘I spoke to him at 4.30 pm’
Doctor Vikash Kumar Gupta’s father said he learnt about his son’s death shortly after the crash.
“As soon as the plane crashed, the name of my son emerged. I hail from a poor family and sold my land so that my son could study. The ministers who came there asked if I needed any assistance apart from the ex-gratia. I asked for a job for my daughter-in-law. I had the last conversation at 4.30 pm yesterday,” he told ANI.
The emotional appeal reflected the deep personal loss behind the tragedy.
Captain leaves behind young family
In Amritsar, Lovepreet Singh, a close friend of Captain Swaraj Singh, said they received news of the crash at around 11 pm.
“He was amicable with everyone. He got married just two years ago and has a three-month-old child,” Singh said.
Probe intensifies
A team from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reached the crash site on Tuesday. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has collected key documents and will continue the probe.
Police officials said locals had reported seeing the aircraft lose balance moments before it crashed, followed by a loud explosion amid light rain and poor visibility.
The aircraft had taken off from Ranchi at 7.11 pm and reportedly lost radar and communication contact before the crash.
As investigations continue, families across states are left mourning an irreplaceable loss