Ahmedabad plane crash: Chankheda-based Christian family mourns loss of son, daughter-in-law

Among those who perished in the tragic Air India Dreamliner crash near Ahmedabad airport on Thursday were Roger David Christian and his wife Rachna Roger Christian,  a UK-based couple who visited the city to meet their family in Chandkheda.

The couple, both in their late 30s, were the son and daughter-in-law of retired irrigation department officer Davidbhai Christian, a long-time resident of Ahmedabad. The family is now engulfed in grief following the sudden loss.

Roger and Rachna had been living in London for the past five years, having earlier spent a similar span in New Zealand. The two had tied the knot in 2013 and were known for their warm nature and close family ties, friends of the family said.

According to relatives, the couple had flown to Ahmedabad to be with Roger’s mother, who recently underwent a hip replacement surgery. Their trip, meant to offer comfort and care to a recovering parent, ended in devastation as the Air India flight crashed minutes after take-off from Ahmedabad on its way to London Gatwick.

“They came to support the family during a difficult time. We were all looking forward to their visit, and now we are planning their last rites,” said a close family member at the Christian household in central Ahmedabad.

The Boeing 787 aircraft, operating as Flight AI-171, went down in the densely populated Meghaninagar area, crashing into the BJMC Boys Hostel and sparking a major fire. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is investigating the crash, with early indications suggesting a critical failure shortly after takeoff.

As rescue operations continue and families gather to identify their loved ones, the Christian community in the city stands in solemn solidarity with the grieving family. The loss has left an indelible mark on those who knew Roger and Rachna — a couple remembered not just for their global journey, but for the love and compassion they brought home.