'Maa, The Flight Is About To Take Off, I'll Talk To You On Return': Air Hostess Manisha Thapa's Last Call To Mother Before AI171 Crash Haunts Family

Patna: ''Maa, I am on a flight to London, the flight is about to take off. Bye, I will talk to you when I return.'' The last words by Bihar air hostess Manisha Thapa killed in the tragic Air India flight crash in Gujarat's Ahmedabad to her mother on phone will haunt the family forever.

Manisha was on board the doomed A1171 plane, which crashed moments after takeoff from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on the BJ Medical College Hostel on Thursday afternoon.

Manisha's uncle Guddu Bahadur Thapa said that Manisha's friends called her brother and told him that the Air India flight in which she was going to London had crashed.

''The family members have gone to Ahmedabad to give DNA samples, so that daughter Manisha's body can be identified,'' Guddu Bahadur Thapa said.

Manisha's Ailing Grandma Oblivious Of Tragedy

With his teary eyes aimed at the picture of his niece, uncle Guddu Bahadur Thapa said that his mother tells that the family have not revealed Manisha's tragic death to his elderly mother given her ill health.

''My mother is asking why my brother and sister-in-law have gone to Manisha. We have told her that they have just gone to meet her and they will be back soon,'' Guddu Bahadur Thapa said with tears welling up his eyes.

Promising Air Hostess Perishes

Originally from Nepal, the Thapas presently lived in the East Rupaspur area of Jagdev Path in Patna. Manisha's father Raju Thapa is in Bihar Police and is posted in Begusarai.

Manisha did her BBA (2014-2017) from St. Xavier's College, Patna. She initially worked as a ground staff in Indigo Airlines. Later, she joined the crew of Akala Airlines and then Air India. According to family members, Manisha was often a part of Air India flights to London.

Manisha is survived by her parents and an elder brother. Manisha's friends and family members remember her as a hardworking woman, who chased her dreams.

Manisha's friend Subhash, speaking to ETV Bharat, recalled that she used to be always eager to help others. "When I watched on news channels about the plane crash in Ahmedabad, I was worried. I immediately recalled that Manisha Thapar was on the same flight. When it was confirmed that Manisha was no more, all her friends, including me were saddened and shocked. We could not believe that Manisha was killed. This is indeed a horrendous incident and the country cannot forget it."

Manisha Thapa's friend Subhas speaking to ETV Bharat (ETV Bharat)

A total of 241 of the 242 passengers on board the flight were killed in the A1171 accident besides several others on ground. A British national, who was on board the flight emerged as the lone survivor. The injured are undergoing treatment at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital.

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