Family rushes to India to formally identify Regina father killed in Air India crash

The family of a Saskatchewan man says he died in the crash of an Air India plane bound for London on Thursday.

The crash in India's northwestern city of Ahmedabad killed at least 240 people. The plane hit a college hostel building shortly after takeoff. Only one passenger survived.

Piyushkumar Patel, a permanent resident who lived in Regina with his wife and two small daughters, was in India visiting his parents since May and was heading to the U.K. to see a friend.

Piyushkumar's sister, Ashini Patel, told CBC she and his other family members in Regina did not know he was on that particular flight until her parents in India confirmed hours after the crash, due to the difference in time zones.

"I know that he was going to London and then I read the news," Patel said.

"My mother just said he is on the flight, and your father and other people from our village are already there. That's how we know it."

Patel spoke to CBC Saskatchewan from Vancouver, where she was scrambling to get Piyushkumar's wife, Ruchita Patel, an emergency passport, as hers had expired.

Three adults and two children from the family boarded a plane from Vancouver to India on Friday afternoon, and hope to help officials formally identify Piyushkumar's body.

Patel said the news will be devastating for Piyushkumar's daughters, one of whom will turn seven years old on Saturday.

"It's a long journey to go to India, so we didn't tell her yet. She's too small to handle it," Patel said, adding that her relationship with her nieces is very close and maternal.

Patel said her younger brother was an amazing father.

"The greatest person actually. He does all things for many people," she said. "For the children, for the elder people and all that."