The sister of a victim from the Air India flight that crashed in June expressed deep distress after her family received the wrong body, exacerbating their grief and desire for closure.
Family of Air India Crash Victim Faces Added Trauma from Misidentified Remains
Family of Air India Crash Victim Faces Added Trauma from Misidentified Remains
Family members express frustration over the mix-up of remains following the tragic Air India crash, highlighting the need for dignity and resolution.
In a recent interview, Arwen Greenlaw discussed the multiple layers of trauma inflicted on her and her family after her brother, Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek, was killed in the crash of Air India flight AI171 shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick. The crash, which occurred on June 12, led to the devastating loss of 270 lives, involving passengers and locals near the crash site.
Greenlaw shared the family’s yearning for dignity and accountability, emphasizing that the situation was marred by what she referred to as "mislabelled remains." She criticized the lack of proper forensic protocols, recollecting that the crash site was disturbingly left uncontained for 48 hours following the incident. Her remarks were directed at ensuring such oversights are not repeated in future investigations.
Her brother and his husband, Jamie Meek, were both supporters of a spiritual wellness community and had recently returned from their home country before their tragic end. During the identification process, their mother traveled to India but returned home with what turned out to be the remains of two different people. Subsequent testing disproved any connection to Fiongal, a revelation that left the family bereft and pushed them to seek greater clarity on the circumstances surrounding the misidentification.
The government has been involved inasmuch as establishing dedicated support for families affected by the crash. A Foreign Office spokesperson acknowledged ongoing efforts with Indian authorities while emphasizing the emotional toll this process has put on the families involved. The heartbreaking losses were compounded by a collective sense of disbelief that such tragedies could happen not only to others but to their own family members.
As investigations continue into the cause of the crash, including reported fuel cutoff issues moments into the flight, the Greenlaw family is joined by others facing similar nightmares—each calling for more thorough protocols to honor the deceased and their families during such devastating times. They reflect on their loved ones with fond memories, including Fiongal’s cheerful spirit and the bond he shared with his husband during their life together.
The journey of recovery for these families is still ongoing, with the hope that respect and dignity for the victims will ultimately prevail.
Greenlaw shared the family’s yearning for dignity and accountability, emphasizing that the situation was marred by what she referred to as "mislabelled remains." She criticized the lack of proper forensic protocols, recollecting that the crash site was disturbingly left uncontained for 48 hours following the incident. Her remarks were directed at ensuring such oversights are not repeated in future investigations.
Her brother and his husband, Jamie Meek, were both supporters of a spiritual wellness community and had recently returned from their home country before their tragic end. During the identification process, their mother traveled to India but returned home with what turned out to be the remains of two different people. Subsequent testing disproved any connection to Fiongal, a revelation that left the family bereft and pushed them to seek greater clarity on the circumstances surrounding the misidentification.
The government has been involved inasmuch as establishing dedicated support for families affected by the crash. A Foreign Office spokesperson acknowledged ongoing efforts with Indian authorities while emphasizing the emotional toll this process has put on the families involved. The heartbreaking losses were compounded by a collective sense of disbelief that such tragedies could happen not only to others but to their own family members.
As investigations continue into the cause of the crash, including reported fuel cutoff issues moments into the flight, the Greenlaw family is joined by others facing similar nightmares—each calling for more thorough protocols to honor the deceased and their families during such devastating times. They reflect on their loved ones with fond memories, including Fiongal’s cheerful spirit and the bond he shared with his husband during their life together.
The journey of recovery for these families is still ongoing, with the hope that respect and dignity for the victims will ultimately prevail.
