**UK Woman Shares Emotional Story After Missing Fatal Air India Flight due to Ahmedabad Traffic**
A British woman has described the harrowing moment she realised she had narrowly escaped death after missing a disastrous Air India flight, thanks to heavy city traffic. Bhoomi Chauhan, who resides in the UK with her husband, narrowly avoided disaster when a traffic jam in Ahmedabad, India, meant she arrived too late to board flight AI171 to London Gatwick – an aircraft that subsequently crashed, killing almost everyone onboard.
Ms Chauhan, returning from a family visit while holidaying in India, told news agency ANI how a seemingly minor travel delay led to a life-altering turn of fate. “I was due to fly at 1.10pm but got caught in Ahmedabad’s busy streets. By the time I arrived at the airport, check-in had closed at 12.10pm, and when I reached the counter at 12.20pm, I was told I could not board,” she recalled in the emotionally charged interview.
She described her desperation, explaining that she pleaded with airport staff to let her through, insisting the ten-minute delay could be quickly made up. However, airline employees stood firm, stating that allowing her to check-in late could set the flight back even further, potentially causing further operational disruption.
Shortly afterwards, while on her way back home, Ms Chauhan received devastating news. The flight she was supposed to have taken – carrying 242 people – had crashed soon after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. At that moment, she explained, “I felt completely numb. I was thankful to the divine for having been spared, but deeply shaken by the sheer scale of the tragedy and the loss of so many lives.”
The passenger manifest released by Air India confirmed that amongst the passengers were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian. Astonishingly, the tragedy left only a single survivor: Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national of Indian descent, who told media outlets of the haunting scenes he witnessed in the aftermath of the crash.
The aviation disaster, involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, has shaken both India and the UK, with government agencies in both countries offering support and counselling to loved ones of the victims. The Tata Group, the parent company of Air India, announced a compensation scheme of 10 million Indian rupees (approximately £86,000) for each bereaved family.
British officials confirmed they are liaising with families affected by the tragedy. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) issued a statement saying they are in close contact with Mr Ramesh and are providing all possible assistance. The FCDO also encouraged anyone with connections to passengers, or who requires consular aid, to contact their helpline.
Emphasising the fragility and unpredictability of life, Ms Chauhan told reporters she remains haunted by the events of that day. “What saved me was nothing more than the infamous Ahmedabad traffic. It’s both a blessing and an inconceivable horror, knowing I escaped a fate that befell others simply because of a delay.”
Many across the UK’s Indian community have expressed their condolences and support for friends and relatives affected by the accident. The disaster has sparked renewed debates about airline procedures, flight safety, and emergency protocols in India, prompting calls for thorough investigations by aviation authorities.
This tragic incident has not only brought the risks of air travel into sharp focus, but for Bhoomi Chauhan, it is a constant reminder of how a minor twist of fate can change the entire course of a life – or save it. As investigations continue, families and survivors alike are left to reflect, mourn, and begin the long process of healing.