Jharkhand Family Borrowed Rs 8 Lakh for Air Ambulance Before Fatal Crash

A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded in Jharkhand when a 41-year-old burn victim and six others lost their lives in an air ambulance crash shortly after takeoff from Ranchi. The victim’s family had borrowed Rs 8 lakh from friends, relatives, and well-wishers in a desperate attempt to save his life by arranging a chartered air ambulance to Delhi for advanced medical treatment.

Sanjay Kumar, a resident of Latehar district, had suffered severe burn injuries after an electric short circuit sparked a fire at his small hotel in Chandwa last Monday. As the sole breadwinner of the family, his sudden and critical condition left his loved ones devastated and financially strained.

With local medical facilities unable to provide the specialized treatment required for his extensive burns, the family decided to shift him to SIR Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi. The only viable option for rapid transfer was an air ambulance — an expensive but urgent necessity.

To meet the substantial costs, the family reportedly borrowed Rs 8 lakh, even contemplating selling their land and property. According to Sanjay’s brother Ajay, the family was determined to do everything possible to ensure he received the best care available.

Air Ambulance Crash in Chatra District

The ill-fated aircraft, identified as a Beechcraft C90 operated by Delhi-based charter service Redbird Airways, took off from Ranchi with seven people on board. Along with Sanjay, his wife Archana and relative Dhruv accompanied him during the medical transfer.

Also on board were two pilots, a doctor, and a paramedic assigned to monitor the patient during the flight. However, tragedy struck shortly after departure when the aircraft crashed in Jharkhand’s Chatra district.

Authorities confirmed that all seven individuals aboard the air ambulance died in the crash. Rescue teams rushed to the site, but there were no survivors.

A Family’s Last-Ditch Effort Ends in Tragedy

Friends and relatives gathered at Sanjay’s home in Latehar as news of the crash spread, mourning the devastating loss. What began as a desperate effort to save a life ended in an unimaginable tragedy for the grieving family.

Sanjay’s condition had been deteriorating rapidly after the Fire Accident at his hotel. Doctors advised immediate transfer to a specialized burn care unit in Delhi, prompting the family to arrange the costly chartered air ambulance.

The Beechcraft C90 aircraft had been equipped for medical evacuation, with trained medical personnel onboard. However, within minutes of takeoff from Ranchi, the aircraft went down in the Chatra district under circumstances that authorities are now investigating.

Investigation Underway

Aviation authorities are expected to conduct a detailed inquiry into the cause of the crash. Preliminary information suggests the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff, but official findings are awaited.

The tragedy has raised fresh concerns about the safety of chartered air ambulance operations, particularly in critical medical evacuation missions where families often exhaust their financial resources in hopes of saving loved ones.

For Sanjay’s family, what was meant to be a life-saving journey turned into an irreparable loss — not only of a husband and provider but also of the immense financial sacrifices made in hope of recovery.