A resident doctor at BJ Medical College narrowly escaped death as the Air India crash tore through his hostel room
A Day Like Any Other Until It Wasn’t
Seconds from Death – June 12 began like any other for Dr. Jay Prakash Chaudhary, a surgical resident at Ahmedabad’s BJ Medical College. He scrubbed in for a routine procedure, unaware that within minutes, his world would be turned upside down. At 1:38 p.m., Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London, crashed just seconds after takeoff, slamming into the residential quarters of the medical college. The aircraft’s nose tore through the very room where Dr. Chaudhary lived. “I could’ve died,” he later said, his voice trembling. “The plane crashed into my room. Thank God I was in OT.”
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The Crash That Shook a City
The crash claimed 270 lives, including passengers, crew, and medical students on the ground. The aircraft, carrying 242 people, lost altitude moments after takeoff and exploded into a fireball as it struck the hostel complex. The impact was catastrophic. The doctors’ mess, residential blocks, and surrounding buildings were reduced to rubble. For those inside, it was a scene of chaos, fire, and screams. “It felt like an earthquake,” said Dr. Mohit Chavda, another resident who was in the mess hall. “Luggage and debris rained down. I froze for ten minutes before I could even call for help.”
A Narrow Escape: The Doctor’s Story
Dr. Chaudhary’s survival is nothing short of miraculous. His room, located on the second floor of Block 3, was completely destroyed. The aircraft’s fuselage tore through the wall, scattering debris and igniting fires. “Had I returned even five minutes earlier, I wouldn’t be here,” he said. His belongings books, clothes, laptop were incinerated. But he walked out alive. “I was in the OT, assisting a senior surgeon. We heard a loud boom. The lights flickered. Then came the screams.” He rushed out, only to find the hostel engulfed in smoke and flames. “I ran toward the building, but the heat was unbearable. I saw bodies. I saw friends. I couldn’t believe it.”
The Human Toll: Doctors, Students, Families
The crash didn’t just claim lives it shattered a community. Among the dead were five doctors, several medical students, and family members visiting for the weekend. One pregnant woman, the wife of a neurosurgeon, died in her sleep as the plane’s tail section crashed into their room. Another doctor lost three family members who had come to celebrate his birthday. “It was supposed to be a happy day,” he said, sobbing. “Now I have no one left.” Over 30 doctors were injured, some critically. Many are being treated at Civil Hospital, where they once worked.
The Aftermath: Grief, Anger, and Displacement
In the days following the crash, the BJ Medical College campus has become a site of mourning and chaos. Four hostel blocks have been declared unsafe. Students have been evacuated and relocated to temporary accommodations. “We lost everything our friends, our homes, our peace,” said intern Kushal Chauhan. “We’re doctors, trained to save lives. But we couldn’t save our own.” A viral video showed a young doctor pleading with authorities not to evict him. “My daughter is admitted. Please show some humanity,” he cried. His voice echoed the helplessness of an entire community.
Government Response and Investigation
The Indian government has launched a full-scale investigation into the crash. Preliminary reports suggest mechanical failure involving the aircraft’s flaps and landing gear. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) are examining black box data. Meanwhile, the Tata Group, which owns Air India, has pledged ₹1 crore in compensation to each victim’s family. Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu visited the site and promised accountability. “This is a national tragedy,” he said. “We will leave no stone unturned.”
A Survivor’s Message: Life Is Fragile
For Dr. Chaudhary, survival comes with a burden. “I keep thinking—why me? Why did I survive when so many didn’t?” He now volunteers at the hospital’s trauma unit, treating survivors and comforting grieving families. “We need to rebuild not just buildings, but lives.” His story is a reminder of how fragile life is, and how quickly everything can change. “I walked out of the OT alive. But I left a part of myself behind in that room.”
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