Manpreet Kaur, a 24-year-old Indian student, tragically died on an international Qantas flight from Melbourne to New Delhi on June 20. The Indian student, who had dreams of becoming a chef, was on her way to meet with her family in India for the first time in four years.
According to the local media, Kaur felt sick a few hours before she arrived at the airport, but she boarded the aircraft without any problems. But according to her friend Gurdip Grewal, she “died on the spot” while she struggled to put on her seatbelt.
Cabin crew and emergency personnel came to her aid while the aircraft remained attached to the Melbourne gate. They attempted to revive Kaur, but it was unsuccessful. According to reports, it is believed that she most likely succumbed to tuberculosis (TB), an infectious condition that affects the lungs, reported news.com.au.
Manpreet wanted to become a chef and worked at Australia Post while she was studying cooking. According to her flatmate, Kuldeep, she was “kind and honest” and “loved to travel with her friends around Victoria”.
A GoFundMe page has been launched by Grewal to assist Kaur’s family during this challenging period.
“Hi, my name is Gurdip Grewal and I’m fundraising for Manpreet Kaur. She was student from my village and going to home. She died in a plane during take off at Melbourne Airport,” the page read.
“Our dear friend Manpreet left us too soon, leaving a void in our lives that can never be filled. As we grieve her passing, we want to come together to honor her memory and support her family in their time of need.
“As we say our final goodbyes,
“Every contribution, big or small, brings us closer to our goal. Your support means the world to us and Manpreet’s family,” it read.
The page has been able to meet its target of raising AUD 30,000.
Qantas spokespersons expressed their condolences and said to news.com.au, “Thoughts are with her family and loved ones.”
(The article is published under a mutual content partnership arrangement between The Free Press Journal and Connected to India)