Gujarat Parents Rescheduled Flight To Surprise Daughter In UK, Killed In Ahmedabad Plane Crash

Last Updated:June 13, 2025, 21:31 IST

Dhavni Patel's parents and aunt wanted to surprise her by rescheduling their flights earlier than expected on the ill-fated day of the Ahmedabad plane crash.

At least 241 people onboard the Air India Dreamliner 787 flight from Ahmedabad to London have been declared dead. (Image Credit: PTI)

In heartbreaking news, a couple from Gujarat, who wanted to surprise their daughter studying in London, were among the 241 people who died in the Ahmedabad plane crash on Thursday.

Dhavni Patel’s parents and aunt wanted to surprise her by attending her convocation ceremony, earlier than their expected visit. However, what could have been a joyous family gathering ended in tragedy instead after the devastating plane crash.

Rajnikant Patel and Divyaben Rajnikant, along with Dhavni’s aunt, had earlier planned to travel on June 17, but they moved their plans to surprise their daughter and spend more time with her, according to a report by NDTV.

Dhavni found out about the tragedy in the UK just as another member of the family, Parth Patel, lost her mother Hemangi Ben in the devastating crash in Ahmedabad, mere months after his father died.

Anand MP Mitesh Patel, a friend of Rajnikant Patel, visited their home to offer his condolences to Parth. Their experience is one of numerous heartbreaking accounts from families who lost loved ones in the passenger jet tragedy.

A total of 241 of the 242 passengers on board and 10 from the BJ Medical College hostel are among the at least 265 killed in the Ahmedabad Air India (AI) plane crash on Thursday afternoon.

While the Gujarat government is yet to confirm, the remaining casualties are suspected to be local residents in the vicinity of the hostel at the time of the crash.

The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner plane crashed within minutes of take-off hitting the mess building of BJ Medical College Civil Hospital and the Atulyam Hostel, where senior residents doctors stayed.

Among the confirmed fatalities from the aircraft was Vijay Rupani, the former chief minister of Gujarat (2016-2021), who was reportedly en route to London to meet his family. However, amidst the tragedy, a miracle emerged: Ramesh Viswashkumar, approximately 40 years old, was confirmed as the sole survivor.

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...Read More

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...

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