The family of a man from Saskatchewan says he died in the accident of an Air India plane to London on Thursday.
The accident in the northwest city of Ahmedabad in the northwest of India killed at least 240 people. The plane reached a university shelter building shortly after takeoff. Just a passenger survived.
Piyushkumar Patel, a permanent resident who lived in Regina with his wife and two little daughters, was in India visiting his parents since May and headed to the United Kingdom to see a friend.
Piyushkumar’s sister, Ashini Patel, told CBC that she and her other family members in Regina did not know that she was on that particular flight until her parents in India confirmed hours after the accident, due to the difference in the time areas.
“I know I would go to London and then read the news,” Patel said.
“My mother has just said that she is on the flight, and that her father and other people in our village are already there. This is how we know.”
Patel spoke with CBC Saskatchewan from Vancouver, where he was fighting to get Piyushkumar’s wife, Ruchita Patel, an emergency passport, since his had expired.
Three adults and two family children approached a plane from Vancouver to India on Friday afternoon, and hope to help officials formally identify Piyushkumar’s body.
Patel said the news will be devastating for the daughters of Piyushkumar, one of whom will turn seven on Saturday.
“It’s a long journey to go to India, so we still didn’t tell him.
Patel said his younger brother was an incredible father.
“The biggest person actually. He does all things for many people,” he said. “For children, for the elderly and all that.”
