JOIN USLast of Mangalore crash survivors discharged
Umar Farooq Mohammed (26) was hospitalised with severe burn injuries on his face and hand after the May 22 air crash.
“It was by God’s grace and the dedicated service of the hospital staff that I got my life back,” Mohammed said, acknowledging the farewell programme organised by the hospital. Mohammed, who was working as an accommodation supervisor in a private company in Dubai for nearly four years, had boarded the flight to secure a visa change.
“Since I had got a better job in Dubai, I had to come back for a visa change. However, fate has turned everything around and now I am not sure whether I will get the new job,” he said, adding that he expected the support from Air India to find a new job.
Mohammed lost all his documents including his passport during the crash. Surgeon Dr Dinesh Kadam said though Mohammed had recovered completely he would require physiotherapy to make his hands strong enough for work.
Mohammed was also given psychotherapy to help him deal with the post-traumatic stress. Speaking on the occasion, Air India Manager (Mumbai) Kuldeep Khanna said all the remaining baggage were sorted out and identified.
The baggage will be handed over to the survivors or kin of victims. Air India has already paid Rs 2 lakh each as interim compensation to all survivors, he said, adding that full compensation will be distributed by the insurance company soon.
AJ Hospital Chairman A J Shetty, Air India Service Engineer Prashanth Kadu, A J Hospital Director Dr Prashanth Marla, Dr Sanath Bhandary, Panambur DySP Valentine D’Souza, Mohammed’s father Mohammed Bawa and relatives were present.