It’s my rebirth, says woman who missed London flight by 10 minutes due to traffic

Bhumi Chauhan, who moved to London two years ago on a study visa and is currently in India, is thanking God and her stars for missing the ill-fated Air India plane that crashed in Ahmedabad as she got stuck in traffic and reached the airport late.

Chauhan said she missed boarding the AI 171 flight to London by just 10 minutes. She is visiting her hometown Ahmedabad for the first time after moving to the UK two years ago. “I am shivering after I learnt about the crash. I left the airport at 1.30 pm as I missed the flight due to traffic. I thank God,” Chauhan said.

“The flight was on time and I missed it by 10 minutes and I thank God. My prayers for all those who were on board,” she said. Chauhan, who was travelling alone, said she got delayed because of traffic and by the time she reached the airport, boarding and check-in for the flight had closed. “I requested (to airport authorities) that I be let in. I was the last passenger. But my request was not accepted. This is a miracle. Mataji and Ganpati bappa protected me. I am terrified at the loss of lives. I am totally numb,” she said. Chauhan said she learnt about the tragedy when she was going back home from the airport.