It was a desperate, final gamble to save a life. In a heart-wrenching turn of events, a family from Jharkhand that borrowed a significant sum of money to rush a critically injured relative to Delhi for advanced medical treatment is now grieving an unimaginable loss. The air ambulance they chartered crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all seven people on board and leaving a community in shock.
The tragedy unfolded on Monday evening when a Beechcraft C90 air ambulance, operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd, took off from Ranchi at 7:11 PM, bound for Delhi. On board was 41-year-old Sanjay Kumar Shaw, a hotelier from Chandwa in Latehar district, who had suffered severe burns in an accident at his hotel. The flight, however, never made it to its destination. About 20 minutes into the journey, the aircraft lost contact with Air Traffic Control and crashed in a dense forest area near Simaria in Chatra district . Preliminary reports suggest poor weather conditions may have played a role . The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the pilots had even requested a route deviation due to weather at 7:34 PM, moments before all contact was lost .
Sanjay’s ordeal began last Monday when a short circuit sparked a fire at his hotel, catching him in the blaze and leaving him with 65 percent burns. He was initially treated at a private hospital in Ranchi, but when his condition failed to improve, doctors recommended transferring him to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, a top facility in the national capital .
Given the severity of his injuries, a road journey was not an option. Driven by hope, Sanjay’s family reached out to friends and relatives, borrowing a staggering Rs 8 lakh to hire the air ambulance and cover his impending medical expenses in Delhi . His brother, Vijay Shaw, who saw him off at the Ranchi airport, recounted the family's shock. "We had just reached home when we learnt about the crash from TV news. Everything ended in a moment," he told reporters . Another brother, Ajay, revealed the family's desperation, saying they had even considered selling their land to ensure Sanjay's treatment .
The crash has orphaned Sanjay's two children, as his wife, Archana Devi, who was accompanying him, also perished in the crash. A relative, Dhruv Kumar, was another victim, leaving the family to grapple with the loss of three members in an instant. A grieving relative lamented the state of local healthcare, stating, "Had we given proper treatment to my brother-in-law Sanjay in Ranchi, precious lives could have been saved. I lost both Sanjay and my sister Archana Devi".
The crash site, located deep within the Bariatu Panchayat area, posed significant challenges for rescue workers. The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel had to trek nearly two kilometers through dense forest with just one stretcher to retrieve the bodies . All seven on board were confirmed dead .
The victims were identified as:
The Patient & Family: Sanjay Kumar Shaw, his wife Archana Devi, and relative Dhruv Kumar.
The Medical Team: Dr. Vikas Kumar Gupta and nurse Sachin Kumar Mishra.
The Crew: Captain Vivek Vikas Bhagat and Captain Savrajdeep Singh .
Among the deceased was Dr. Vikas Kumar Gupta, a doctor posted at Sadar Hospital in Ranchi. His father, Bajrangi Prasad, shared a poignant story of sacrifice, telling reporters that he had sold all his land to make his son a doctor. Dr. Gupta, a meritorious MBBS graduate from Odisha's Cuttack, leaves behind a seven-year-old son .
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a thorough probe into the crash. While Ranchi airport director Vinod Kumar cited inclement weather as a possible cause, the exact factors leading to the disaster are yet to be determined . Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari has also announced a state probe into why the aircraft was permitted to fly in what has been described as adverse weather conditions .
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with emergency medical evacuations and the profound grief that can follow a desperate race against time. For the family of Sanjay Shaw, a desperate act of love, aimed at saving one life, has inexplicably resulted in the loss of seven.
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