Lone Survivor Tried to Go Back to Crashed Air India Plane to Save Brother: First Responder
On June 23, 1985, a devastating tragedy shook the world when Air India Flight 182 was blown up off the coast of Ireland, resulting in the loss of 329 lives. Among the many stories of loss and heartbreak, one particular account stands out – that of a lone survivor who tried to go back to the crashed plane to save his brother.
Satinder Singh Sandhu, an ambulance driver who was one of the first responders to the crash, revealed the remarkable story of the sole survivor’s bravery in an interview. According to Sandhu, the survivor, who has since remained anonymous, was desperate to save his brother, who was on board the ill-fated flight.
The incident occurred when the plane was on its way from Montreal to Delhi with a stopover in London. The Canadian-based Air India Flight 182 was carrying over 280 passengers and 22 crew members when it was blown up by a bomb at an altitude of around 31,000 feet. The explosion caused the plane to crash into the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in history.
Sandhu, who was driving his ambulance in Ahmedabad at the time of the crash, received a distress call from the local authorities about an aircraft crash. He rushed to the scene, along with his team, to provide medical assistance to the survivors.
In his interview, Sandhu described the scene as “chaotic” and “devastating”. “When we arrived at the site, we saw a huge crater with debris scattered all around. It was a very difficult situation, with people crying and screaming for help,” he recalled.
As Sandhu and his team began to survey the damage, they came across the lone survivor, who was injured but still conscious. According to Sandhu, the survivor was frantically searching for his brother, who was nowhere to be found.
“We stopped him and shifted him to the ambulance so he could receive medical attention,” Sandhu said. “He was very distraught and kept asking us if we had found his brother. We tried to console him and told him that we would do everything possible to help him find his brother, but unfortunately, it was too late.”
Sandhu’s account of the incident is a poignant reminder of the human cost of the tragedy. Despite the trauma and devastation, the survivor’s bravery and determination to save his brother serve as a testament to the enduring power of human resilience and compassion.
The Air India Flight 182 disaster was a pivotal moment in aviation history, leading to significant changes in airport security and intelligence gathering. However, for the families of the victims, the tragedy remains a painful reminder of the devastating consequences of terrorism.
In the aftermath of the crash, an investigation was launched to determine the cause of the explosion. The probe concluded that the bomb was planted on the plane by Sikh extremists who were seeking revenge for the Indian government’s actions in the Punjab region.
The incident also led to a significant shift in international relations, with Canada and India strengthening their cooperation on counter-terrorism efforts.
As we reflect on this tragic event, we are reminded of the importance of compassion, empathy, and understanding in the face of adversity. The story of the lone survivor’s bravery serves as a powerful reminder of the human spirit’s capacity to endure even in the darkest of times.
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