Friday, June 5, 2026
Friday, June 5, 2026
Doctor and family among Air India crash victims
(BBC) A doctor and his family have been named among the victims of the Air India plane crash.
More than 240 people were killed on Thursday when a Boeing 787 bound for Gatwick crashed shortly after take off in Ahmedabad.
Dr Prateek Joshi, a radiologist at Royal Derby Hospital, his wife and three children were on board the flight, the Derby Hindu Temple in Pear Tree said.
In a post on social media, a spokesperson for the temple said they were praying “to give strength to the bereaved family to bear this immense loss”.
The plane was carrying 242 people when it crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad airport, in western India.
There were 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian on the flight.
Neil Ryan, 42, a former neighbour of the family, said the news of their death was “absolutely devastating” and described them as “just the nicest family”.
He said: “The family were really unassuming, genuine kind people, honestly. It’s heartbreaking.”
Mr Ryan told the BBC the family moved in next door, and lived there for a couple of years, before Dr Joshi’s wife and children moved back to India and he downsized.
He added: “When they left, he came round – we always spoke to each other – he came round with a big bag of goodies, there was a bottle of gin, there was cakes, tea, all sorts.
“They were wonderful.”
‘New life chapter’
Mario Dimitrio Donadio, a locum radiologist who worked with Dr Joshi, told the BBC he felt a “darkness and heavy sensation” in his heart when he discovered the news.
He described his former colleague and flatmate as a “very good professional” and said he was “very happy” when they went out for a meal with other radiologists in May.
Dr Donadio added Dr Joshi was “really ecstatic” when he told him a few days ago, that he was planning on bringing his family in India to live with him in the UK to start a “new chapter in life”.
“He was always very jolly, he was a sunny character, always bright and sparkling,” Dr Donadio said.
“The world is at loss, to lose people like him.”
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton (UHDB) NHS Foundation Trust said it was “profoundly and deeply saddened” by the death of Dr Joshi and his family.
Stephen Posey, chief executive of UHDB, said: “Prateek was not only an excellent doctor for whom nothing was too much trouble, but also a warm, smiling and kind man who was a hugely liked and valued member of the team.”
Dr Joshi moved from India to Derby in 2021 and worked at UHDB for four years, the trust said.
Dr Rajeev Singh, consultant radiologist at UHDB, said Dr Joshi was “full of joy” and “an exceptional radiologist”.
He added: “He often entertained colleagues with stories about his passions outside of work, including his newly discovered love of fish and chips and enthusiasm for walking in the Peak District.
“He touched the lives of so many people, both through his clinical work and as a colleague and friend to many.”
Flight AI171 between Ahmedabad and London Gatwick took off on Thursday afternoon, but struggled to gain altitude and crashed 30 seconds afterwards.
The plane gave a mayday call to air traffic control, India’s aviation regulator said. No response was given by the aircraft after that.
It crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar.
A spokesperson for Derby Hindu Temple said: “It is with deep sorrow that we inform you that Dr Prateek Joshi and his family were on board the Air India flight that tragically crashed en route from Ahmedabad to London.
“Dr Joshi, a radiologist at Royal Derby Hospital, who lived in Derby, were devotees of our Mandir and supported us through their sincere service and dedication.
“We pray to Lord Shiva to grant eternal peace to the departed souls and to give strength to the bereaved family to bear this immense loss.”
