Tributes to woman and grandson killed in India plane crash

Tributes have been paid to a woman and her grandson who are thought to have died in the plane crash in India.

More than 240 people were killed on Thursday when a Boeing 787 bound for Gatwick crashed shortly after take off in Ahmedabad.

Raxa Modha, from Wellingborough, and her two-year-old grandson, Rudra, were believed to have been flying back to England for a memorial service for Ms Modha’s late husband. It is understood that another member of the family might also have been onboard.

Jaya Tailor, who lives in Wellingborough, said she knew Ms Modha personally and that she was “a people’s person”.

“She helped her husband build a business,” she said.

“She loved having people around her.

“She was kind, generous, loving, a real people’s person.”

It is thought Ms Modha’s husband, Kishor Modha, died in April from cancer in India and a memorial for him was planned for 22 June in Wellingborough.

Raj Mishra, the mayor of Wellingborough, called for people to come together.

“I extend my deepest condolences to their families, friends and all those affected by this heartbreaking event,” he said.

“May their memories be a blessing, and may we come together to support one another in this time of grief.”

The Wellingborough District Hindu Association also described the incident as “devastating news”.

“We have learned with deep sorrow that some family members living in Wellingborough were among the victims,” it said in a statement.

“The loss of life is always a tragedy, and it is particularly poignant when it touches our own community so directly.

“We extend our sincerest condolences and deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of all who perished in this horrific incident.

“During this incredibly difficult time, our thoughts are with the families, and we offer our full support to those grieving.”

The association said it would hold a special prayer gathering for all those who lost their lives in the crash on Friday from 18:30 to 19:30 BST at Sanatan Hindu Mandir on Highfield Road.

Only one passenger, a British man, survived the crash. Among those on board were Indian, British, Portuguese and Canadian nationals.

The emergency services and officials worked late into Thursday night and into Friday to clear debris and search for the plane’s black box.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson, said: “We are supporting the family of British nationals who were on board Air India flight AI171.”