Traffic jam proves life-saving for London-bound passenger
For Bhoomi Chauhan, what seemed like misfortune turned into a miraculous escape. The 32-year-old missed Air India Flight 171, which crashed minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, by just 10 minutes due to heavy traffic.
The narrow escape
Bhoomi, a Bharuch resident who lives in London with her husband, was visiting India after two years. She was scheduled to board the ill-fated flight at 1:10 PM from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
“The flight was scheduled to take off at 1.10pm. The boarding procedure was over at 12.10pm, and I arrived at 12.20pm,” Bhoomi recounted. “I requested them to allow me to board, but they refused. I was upset—until I heard the news.”
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed seconds after takeoff, killing 241 of the 242 people onboard in one of India’s worst aviation disasters. Only one passenger survived.
“My Ganpati ji saved me”
Speaking to reporters outside the airport, a visibly shaken Bhoomi described her reaction upon learning about the crash:
“I was getting ready to step out when I heard. I began shivering—my legs trembled. I felt numb for quite some time.”
She credited divine intervention for her survival: “I got stuck in traffic and reached late. My Ganpati ji saved me.”
Her mother, who was caring for Bhoomi’s child during the trip, called it a miracle:
“We thank God for protecting my daughter. She left her child with me—it’s all because of God’s blessings that she’s safe.”
#WATCH | Bhoomi Chauhan, a resident of Gujarat's Bharuch, missed yesterday's flight, AI-171, which crashed and 241 of 242 on board, including crew members, lost their lives.
Bhoomi Chauhan says, "…We arrived at the check-in gate 10 minutes late, but they didn't allow me, and I… pic.twitter.com/T1AqU9SSz0
British-Indian Vishwash Kumar Ramesh (40) was the only passenger to survive the crash. From his hospital bed, he told Hindustan Times:
“Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly.”
Relatives said Ramesh, who suffered chest injuries, had “no idea” how he escaped the burning wreckage.
Investigation underway
The aircraft crashed into the residential quarters of BJ Medical College, killing five people on the ground. Preliminary reports suggest possible engine failure or bird strike as causes.
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Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu announced a high-level probe into the tragedy. The pilot had issued a Mayday distress call moments before the crash, according to air traffic control.
