Health Warriors Who Led the Emergency Response During the #AhmedabadPlaneCrash

Someone Ran to the Trauma Centre, Another Cleared the Way for Ambulances, One Gathered Supplies, and Another Readied the PM Room, Every Hand at the Civil Hospital Rose to the Moment

How Civil Hospital’s Precise Crisis Management Ensured a Prompt and Well-Coordinated Response in the Wake of the Tragedy

From Trauma Centre to Nursing, Microbiology, Security, Sanitation, Police Surgeon, and Post Mortem Teams, Civil Hospital’s Departmental Coordination Stands as a Case Study in Crisis Response

Gandhinagar, 19 June 2025: On June 12, a horrific plane crash in Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad, posed a deeply challenging situation for the Health Department. In those critical moments, Civil Hospital’s careful crisis management facilitated a swift response, ensuring immediate care for the injured and overseeing the prompt and dignified handover of the deceased to their families. In First Person – First Response, we talk about the silent warriors who stood resiliently through one of the most testing times.

First Person 1: Dr Chirag Patel, Head of Emergency Medicine

“When I got the news of the plane crash, I was in the department with my staff. I quickly sent a message to our WhatsApp group, alerting everyone about the emergency and instructing the teams to rush to the trauma centre. Even as I was putting on my apron, patients began to arrive. The first five or six patients had different types of injuries, hence we started treatment without delay.

Each team quickly took its position. Fortunately, the entire staff was on duty when this incident occurred. There were 10 staff members available per patient. Under the guidance of our officers, we ensured the injured were treated promptly and shifted to their respective wards.”

First Person 2: Dr Neeta Khandelwal, Head of Microbiology Department

“As soon as we received the news of the incident, we quickly activated our teams. Given the nature of the crash, it was evident that DNA matching would be necessary. So, we focused on quickly arranging everything required for the sample collection process. We selected Kasoti Bhavan as the location for collecting DNA samples from family members, as it was well-suited for the task. From 5:00 PM on June 12, we deployed our teams there with all necessary supplies.

As the families arrived, we collected their samples in phases, carefully filling out the required details in the forms. We arranged round-the-clock staff duty at Kasoti Bhavan. As soon as 50–60 samples were collected, we coordinated with the FSL and promptly sent them to the lab so that testing could begin without delay. Alongside this, we placed necessary signboards to guide the relatives and ensured other arrangements were in place for the family members.”

First Person 3: Shri Hitendra Zakharia, Nursing Superintendent

“As soon as we received news of the plane crash around 1:50 PM, we, being the first point of contact, immediately alerted all nursing staff, including the head nurse on duty at the Trauma Centre, and asked them to reach their designated stations. The nursing teams quickly arranged all essential supplies, from medicines and dressings to other critical supplies.

Considering the gravity of the situation, staff members nearing the end of their shifts were requested to stay back. In close coordination with the Trauma Department and other units, we administered first aid and moved patients to the wards. Approximately 150 new beds were arranged urgently, and we managed the situation with the support of nearly 274 additional staff members.

First Person 4: Shri Hitendra Vaghela, Constable, Sanitary Department

“As soon as we received news of the incident, we immediately informed all Class-4 employees in the Sanitary Department and instructed them to join the rescue operation without delay. In coordination with the Security Department, doctors, the Trauma Department, and Ambulance Services, a dedicated corridor was created for moving patients on stretchers. Our department was entrusted with the responsibility of arranging stretchers and wheelchairs. We quickly moved patients to the Trauma Centre and other required locations, and as patients arrived, we transported them to the respective departments.”

First Person 5: Dr Manish Ghelani, Police Surgeon

“As soon as we received news of the plane crash, we quickly reached the Trauma Centre. Upon realising the high number of fatalities, we quickly coordinated with the Chief Medical Officer, postmortem department doctors, and other concerned officials. Once the arrangements at the Trauma Centre were in place, we moved to the postmortem room.

The bodies were shifted to the old postmortem facility, and expert doctors from various districts were called in to help. The postmortem of the mortal remains continued throughout the night. Later, the bodies were moved to the new postmortem room, where arrangements were made to hand them over to the families along with the required legal documents.”

First Person 6: Rt. Col. Arvind Mathur, Chief Security Officer, Civil Hospital

“On June 12 at 1:40 PM, I received a call about a major blast. I immediately informed the Civil Superintendent, alerted all security personnel at the Civil Hospital, and rushed to the scene. When I arrived, I saw that a plane had crashed—there was heavy damage, smoke everywhere, and a growing crowd. The fire team had already reached the site. From there, I headed straight to the Civil Hospital and took charge of managing the crowd and volunteers gathered around the Trauma Centre. As ambulances began arriving with the injured, people attempted to enter the Trauma Centre. Our team quickly controlled the situation and brought order back to the area.”

First Person 7: Dr Kavin Kotdia, Intern Doctor at BJ Medical College

Dr. Kavin Kotdia, an intern at BJ Medical College, shared that he was in the mess when the accident occurred at 1:40 PM on June 12. Soon after the crash, he and other interns joined in rescuing injured students. During the process, some outsiders entered the area and began recording videos and making reels. They were immediately stopped and asked to leave.

He also mentioned that a false report had circulated in the media, claiming that 40 medical students had died, which caused widespread panic across the hospital and among families.

“We contacted the parents, reassured them, and clarified the facts, which brought them relief,” he said, adding that the mess building had collapsed in the accident, leading to the temporary closure of food services for nearly 1,000 students. Yet, the mess will reopen within two days, bringing much-needed relief to the hostel students.