Gold, Cash, and Courage: What First Responders Found at AI Crash Site
On June 12, tragedy struck Ahmedabad when Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed into the hostel of BJ Medical College. The horrific accident claimed the lives of 271 people — 241 onboard and 30 on the ground — making it one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India’s recent history.
As chaos unfolded and thick plumes of smoke darkened the sky, a local businessman, Raju Patel, emerged as an unexpected hero. Patel, known for his construction work and community service, was among the first to reach the crash site — even before official emergency responders.
“We couldn’t get close for 15 to 20 minutes because of the heat and fire,” Patel recalled. However, once the fire brigade and ambulance services reached, Patel and his team joined hands with them in the rescue operation.
Amid the scorched debris, Patel’s team made several surprising discoveries. With utmost honesty and respect for the victims, they handed over:
- 70 tolas of gold, weighing nearly 800 grams
- ₹80,000 in cash
- A copy of the Bhagwad Gita
- Several passports and personal items
These items, preserved despite the wreckage, were collected and submitted to local authorities. Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi later confirmed that the valuables will be returned to the rightful families.
For Patel, this was not the first time he stood in the face of disaster. “I had helped during the 2008 serial blasts in Ahmedabad too. But this… this was beyond anything I’ve seen. The fire, the screams — it’ll haunt me,” he said, visibly shaken.
While the nation mourns the loss of lives and questions arise about aviation safety protocols, stories like Patel’s restore faith in humanity. In a moment filled with fear and destruction, courage and integrity shone through.
This tragic event is not just a wake-up call for systemic safety reviews in aviation, but also a reminder of the everyday heroes who risk everything for others.
