“Sading grief for our parents whom we killed in the air in India will never end ”
“I started to feel sad last Thursday when we finally brought them home.”
Miten Patel’s mother, father Ashok and Shobna Patel died in June in a Gatwick-bound Indian plane crash.
The couple returned home to visit their son and grandson on June 12, when the plane crashed in Ahmedabad, western India, killing everyone on board.
On Sunday, Mr. Patel organized a service at the Sattavis Patidar Center in Wembley to honor and pray for victims, including Sunny and Monali Patel from South Norwood.
“That was when I hit me. I think it would be a long sad process. The sadness will never end – they are our lives.”
Miten Patel said he thanked the community for its support [BBC]
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner has 242 passengers and crew, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian.
After the crash, the victim’s body was determined by Indian authorities, but Mr Patel found that the “other bodies” were in the mother’s coffin when her body returned to England.
He thanked the doctors involved for their support in re-determining the mother’s remains.
“Now, we’ve 100% confirmed that we’ve turned mom and dad into mom and dad. It’s a long process, but it’s definitely necessary.”
The family was also able to recover his father’s ring, the one he wore when the plane crashed.
Mr. Patel is now wearing his father’s ring, the one he wore when the plane crashed. [BBC]
Patel’s family prepared slideshows of parents’ photos for the memorial.
He describes his parents as members of the community who are deeply missed.
“They are the best parents any child can ask for. They are caring, loving, and supporting every step of the way.”
He said his parents would be surprised by the gatherings of people who came to pay tribute.
He added: “The entire community has really supported us in this tragic time and I thank everyone for everyone.”
At least 130 people attended the memorial, including family, friends and people who knew other crash victims in India.
Mukesh Patel, trustee of the Sattavis Patidar Center, said the community is aware of many victims of the crash, some of whom live in the UK and others live in India.
“It is our duty as a trustee to organize and bring people together,” he said.
“It’s been a very sad day for our community. We want to remember all of these people because it’s the saddest thing that has happened.”
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