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ITV News
20-06-2025
- General
- ITV News
'I will bring them home': A son's determination after losing his parents in the Air India Crash
A man has promised to bring his parents home to Orpington after they died in an Air India Crash to London Gatwick. Ashok Patel, 74, and Shobhana Patel, 71, have lived in Greater London since the 80s. Ashok was a financial advisor, while Shobahana a microbiologist. The pair travelled to India for a religious trip known as a Yatra which helps people find peace when they eventually pass away. Unfortunately, just days later, they were among 53 British nationals that died in a fatal plane crash in Ahmedabad, West India just minutes after take off. It is still uncertain when the pair will be returned to London though the process to identify them was quick. Their son, Miten, went to India and describes the process as a "miracle". He added "it's a result of meticulous and efficient planning" which meant he had to put his grief to the side to focus on fulfilling his parents' wishes. "I haven't come to terms with it. My main priority was the promise I made my parents to bring them home," he says. He is one of dozens of British family members who have flown to Ahmedabad to identify and bring their loved ones back. "It is not an easy process when there are so many people that have gone through this tragedy," he tells ITV News London. Despite how difficult the last seven days have been, Miten praises his family and the wider community for all their kindness and support in the process. It all began, when Miten received a phone call from his father's friend who was in India. "I couldn't believe it," he says. "I was with him on Father's Day, I held the first time in this whole ordeal I cried because I felt like I was actually hugging my dad." Miten contacted insurance companies, collected dental records and DNA samples to take to India in order to support the identification process. He says it was fate that his mother was identified just four hours after his father was, and added: "It felt like my mum was saying to my dad, stay where you are, you're not going alone, I'm coming with you." In India, he was shown items that belonged to his parents that were found among the wreckage, from the label of his father's beloved Stafford shirt to his mother swan-pendant necklace that Miten's young daughter Amira will now inherit. "My mum used to say one day you will have that. It just feels like she's left that necklace for her," he says. Once his parents are back in the UK, Miten aims to hold a funeral service for them both together. "They have made it this far together so I would like to send them off together," he says. While Miten's dad Ashok was born in India and his family have ethnic roots to the country, India was an 'unknown country' for Miten who grew up in the UK. "I'm just glad I was able to fulfil my promise that I made to my parents and my family that I will make sure that they come home because the UK is their home." "They've been here for over 40 years." Miten says his parents finally being cremated will start off a more personal mourning process for him that he has been delaying. "Once I get them home and we give them a good send off then I'll grieve in my own time, but at the moment I've just got to stay strong for them," he says.
News18
17-06-2025
- News18
Ahmedabad Crash: Sons Get DNA Match For Dad On Father's Day, Then Comes Call About Their Mother
Last Updated: The couple, originally from Gujarat and settled in the United Kingdom since 1978, were among the many victims of the Air India flight crash on June 12. In a deeply emotional turn of events following the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash, Miten Patel, the son of UK-based victims Ashokbhai and Shobhaben Patel, received confirmation of his father's DNA match on Father's Day, only to be informed shortly after that his mother's DNA had also been matched. The couple, originally from Gujarat and settled in the United Kingdom since 1978, were among the many victims of the Air India flight crash on June 12. Miten and his brother Heman had rushed to Ahmedabad to assist with the identification process and provided DNA samples to authorities. According to officials, Ashokbhai's DNA match was confirmed on Sunday, June 16, which was also Father's Day. As the brothers began making arrangements to take their father's body back to London, they received a second call from the hospital, who informed that their mother's remains had also been identified. Hers was the 99th DNA match confirmed in the ongoing identification process. The couple, inseparable in life, were now reunited in death. Their son Miten described the moment with deep emotion, saying, 'It's as if our mother's soul called out, 'Ashok, you shouldn't travel back alone. Alive or after death, I will always be by your side.'" Both sons also appreciated the Gujarat government for its swift and sensitive handling of the tragedy. The Patel family expressed gratitude to the Civil Hospital, Forensic Science Laboratory, and state authorities for ensuring the dignified return of their parents' remains. The brothers will now carry their parents back to London, where final rites will be conducted. So far, DNA samples of 135 deceased individuals have been successfully matched, and 101 bodies have been handed over to their families. Authorities said 12 families are expected to arrive soon to claim the mortal remains of their loved ones, while officials remain in contact with five others. Additionally, 17 families are awaiting DNA confirmation for another relative. First Published: June 17, 2025, 13:50 IST
