The unimaginable hit the Meek family when they learned that Jamie Ray Meek, who was on the ill-fated Air India flight, never made it home.
His brother Nick, who lives in Birmingham and works as a caretaker, opened up about the family’s pain and shock after the devastating news.
Nick shared, “We were expecting Jamie tonight.
His flight was supposed to land at 6:30 pm, and then he was going to come straight to pick up his dog who’s with our mum.
But she’s really struggling right now.
It’s so raw and heavy — we only found out a couple of hours ago.”
Jamie and Fin’s Special Journey to India
Jamie and his husband Fin had been in India for about ten days on what was meant to be a wellness retreat.
The couple, who run a holistic health business together, had been working in the wellness field for years.
Nick explained, “Jamie had been to India before, but this was the first time they went together as a married couple.
They tied the knot in 2022 and lived in Ramsgate, Kent.”
The couple was well-known in wellness circles and even appeared on ITV’s This Morning to promote their brand, The Wellness Foundry, which focuses on alternative therapies and spiritual healing.
The Couple’s Last Moments Shared on Social Media
Before boarding the tragic flight from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, Jamie and Fin posted a haunting video that now serves as their final memory online.
Dressed in bright, flowery shirts, they looked happy and relaxed.
In the video, Fin said, “We’re just about to board. Goodbye India. It’s a ten-hour flight back to England.
Jamie, what’s your biggest takeaway from the trip?” Jamie chuckled and gave a shy reply, prompting Fin to joke about patience in relationships.
The video showed the couple’s joyful mood, even as other passengers bustled around them.
In other posts, they shared glimpses of their hotel stay, tuk-tuk rides through the city, henna tattoos, and shopping for gifts — snapshots of what was meant to be a magical vacation.
The Wellness Foundry and Their Spiritual Path
Fin started The Wellness Foundry in 2018 following a profound spiritual awakening triggered by an illness.
The company offers tarot readings, reiki, and other alternative spiritual therapies, reflecting the couple’s deep connection to holistic healing.
Jamie described their trip as “a journey” and said, “Spending our last night here in this beautiful hotel was a wonderful way to wrap up the trip.”
The Horrific Crash in Ahmedabad
Tragedy struck shortly after takeoff when the Air India flight carrying 244 passengers, including 53 Britons, crashed just minutes after leaving Ahmedabad Airport in India’s Gujarat state.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner came down in a densely populated area, crashing into a building that housed doctors working nearby.
Shocking images from the scene showed parts of the plane’s fuselage embedded in the destroyed building, with remnants of the landing gear hanging through a hole. Emergency crews worked tirelessly to clear the debris and search for survivors.
Rescue Efforts and Official Responses
Authorities confirmed at least 30 bodies had been recovered, though many casualties were expected given the extent of the damage.
The plane reportedly reached only 625 feet in altitude before descending and crashing, and officials received a mayday call moments before the tragedy.
British officials, including Foreign Minister David Lammy and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, expressed deep sorrow and pledged support to Indian authorities as investigations and rescue operations continued.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the crash “heartbreaking beyond words” and assured that all necessary resources were being mobilized to assist victims and their families.
Investigations Underway Amid Aviation Industry Concerns
The plane’s experienced pilots included Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, with over 8,000 flight hours, and First Officer Clive Kundar.
The cause of the crash remains unclear, with aviation experts emphasizing that the weather was calm and visibility good at the time.
This tragic accident adds to a troubling string of Boeing aircraft disasters in recent years, including fatal crashes involving Lion Air in Indonesia and Ethiopian Airlines.
Shares in Boeing dropped sharply following news of the crash.
A Nation in Mourning as Families Wait for Answers
Ahmedabad’s airport suspended all flight operations after the accident, while rescue teams and investigators rushed to the scene. Families of passengers waited anxiously for news, as the world grappled with the shock of this terrible loss.
The tragedy has cast a somber shadow over the upcoming Paris Air Show, where aviation giants Boeing and Airbus were preparing to unveil their latest aircraft.