A tragic plane crash in Jharkhand’s Chatra district claimed seven lives on Monday night, including that of doctor Vikas Kumar Gupta, who was traveling on a Beechcraft C90 air ambulance from Ranchi to Delhi. The aircraft, operated by Delhi-based Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd with tail number VT-AJV, lost communication shortly after takeoff from Birsa Munda Airport and later crashed in a forest in Simaria.
Dr. Gupta’s father, visibly distraught, shared with reporters, “My son was a doctor. He told me he was going to Delhi with patients, but later I learned the aircraft had crashed and my son is no more. I sold my farmland to educate him.” The loss has left the family and local community in deep mourning.
The air ambulance was carrying a patient, Sanjay Kumar, who had suffered 60% burns and was being considered for treatment abroad. Other victims included Captain Vivek Vikas Bhagat, Captain Savrajdeep Singh, Sachin Kumar Mishra, Archana Devi, and Dhuru Kumar.
While the cause of the crash is not officially confirmed, preliminary reports suggest inclement weather and thunderstorms may have contributed. The CEO of Devkamal Hospital and Research Centre, Ranchi, Dr. Anant Sinha, confirmed the death of Dr. Gupta and expressed condolences, emphasizing the loss to the medical community.