Jharkhand reels from a catastrophic air ambulance incident that claimed seven lives, including a dhaba owner battling severe burns and his loved ones. The Ranchi-Delhi flight crashed in Chatra’s Simaria jungle Monday night, shortly after departure.
Sanjay Kumar, 41, of Chandwa in Latehar district, embodied resilience until fate intervened. Operating a bustling line hotel, he fell victim to a fire there, sustaining 65% burns. Hospitalized in Ranchi from February 16 at Devkamal, his critical state demanded air evacuation to Delhi. Wife Archana Devi and a nephew boarded with him, sealing a family’s doom.
Left behind are sons Shubham (17) and Shivam (13), thrust into orphanhood. Grief blankets Chandwa, where the home buzzes with mourners sharing memories of Sanjay’s generosity.
The Redbird-operated Beechcraft took off at 7:11 PM; by 7:34 PM, it vanished from radar. Intense rain and poor sightlines are under scrutiny as DGCA probes commence.
Identified victims: Captains Vivek Vikas Bhagat and Savrajdeep Singh, Dr. Vikas Kumar Gupta, Sachin Kumar Mishra, Sanjay, Archana, and Dheeru Kumar. The doctor’s presence highlighted the mission’s urgency.
Beyond personal loss, this crash spotlights regulatory gaps in medical flights over challenging landscapes. Families like the Kumars pay the ultimate price when systems falter. Investigators’ findings could spur safety reforms, honoring the departed while safeguarding futures.