Dirdh Patel, a 23-year-old, was among the 241 passengers and crew who tragically lost their lives in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as Flight AI171, crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, bound for London Gatwick. The aircraft struck a medical college complex near the airport, resulting in a devastating scene and numerous fatalities, including at least 38 people on the ground.
Dirdh was a student at the University of Huddersfield, where he had recently completed his MSc in Artificial Intelligence. He was described by his tutor, Dr. George Bargiannis, as an "exceptional individual" known not only for his academic abilities but also for his "warmth, passion, and enthusiasm." Dr. Bargiannis noted that Dirdh was "always intellectually curious" and possessed a "clear ability of seeing the bigger picture and how his learning could lead to making a positive impact in the world." He achieved the highest grade in his course, marking him out as a promising talent in his field.
Beyond his academic achievements, Dirdh was a passionate cricketer. He played for Leeds Modernians Cricket Club as an overseas player during the 2024 season. The club expressed profound sadness at his passing, stating that "The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Dirdh's family and everyone who knew him." Dirdh had scored 312 runs and claimed 29 wickets for the 1st XI across 20 matches for the club. The Airedale and Wharfedale Senior Cricket League mentioned that Dirdh had intended to continue playing cricket after settling into a new job.
According to reports, Dirdh had returned to India to seek his girlfriend's parents' blessing for their marriage. Family friends described him as a "bright and wonderful" person who was "the nicest, smiliest, and had a positive outlook on life." His sudden and tragic death has been a shock to his family and friends, cutting short a life that was just beginning.
The news of Dirdh's death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from those who knew him. Leeds Modernians Cricket Club held a minute's silence before a recent match to honor Dirdh and all the other victims of the plane crash. The University of Huddersfield and the Airedale and Wharfedale Senior Cricket League have also expressed their condolences and remembered Dirdh as a talented and promising young man.
The Air India crash has claimed the lives of 241 people on board and at least 38 on the ground, with only one survivor. The aftermath of the crash has been chaotic, with rescue and recovery teams working tirelessly to retrieve bodies and identify victims. The process of identifying the deceased has been complicated by the severity of the crash and the condition of the remains, with DNA testing being used to identify the victims. As of June 16, 2025, 114 DNA matches had been confirmed.
Indian authorities have launched a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash. Both the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder have been recovered and are being analyzed by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, with assistance from experts from the United States and the United Kingdom. A high-level committee has also been established by the Indian government to investigate the crash and recommend measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.
Dirdh Patel's story is a poignant reminder of the human cost of the Air India tragedy. He was a bright, talented, and well-loved young man with a promising future. His loss is deeply felt by his family, friends, and the communities he was a part of, both in India and the United Kingdom.
