Air India plane crash | 'We knew he was on flight': Family of crew member Irfan Shaikh who never came home

Mumbai: For the family of Irfan Shaikh, a crew member on board the ill-fated Dreamliner, their dreams are shattered.

Irfan, who was just 22, hailed from Pimpri-Chinchwad area of Pune, and used to stay in Mumbai because of the necessity of airline duties.

Irfan’s father Sameer Shaikh had reached Ahmedabad to collect the body of his son along with his the victim’s mother and brother. “We have not yet been given the body, the authorities told us that it would take some time,” said the father.

"Irfan had big dreams and was determined to excel in the field. But now, all those dreams have been shattered," said his uncle Firoz Shaikh, who is based in Pune.

“This is a very tragic incident. As soon as the plane crashed, we immediately knew that Irfan was on that plane. Before boarding, he spoke to his mother and told her he was taking this flight. His mother realised right away that he was on that flight,” he added.

According to family members, Irfan had recently visited home during the Bakri Eid festival. “He was 22 and was working for the past two years,” family members said.

Shirur MP Dr Amol Kolhe said: “The entire country was shaken by the horrific plane crash that took place in Ahmedabad yesterday. Irfan Sheikh from Sant Tukaram Nagar (Pimpri), who served as a cabin crew member in this plane, also passed away. May his soul rest in peace and may his family find the strength to bear this loss!”.