An Indian-origin woman tragically passed away on a Qantas flight in Australia just before takeoff, while en route to visit family in India for the first time in four years. The incident occurred on June 20, when 24-year-old Manpreet Kaur reportedly boarded the aircraft in Melbourne, preparing to fly to Delhi. Shortly after boarding the plane at Tullamarine Airport, she experienced a medical episode.
According to a friend, the 24-year-old student had felt unwell hours before arriving at the airport but was able to board the flight without any apparent issues. However, as she attempted to fasten her seatbelt, Kaur collapsed and “died on the spot.” “When she got on the plane, she was struggling to put her seatbelt on. Just before the flight started, she fell in front of her seat and died on the spot,” her friend Gurdip Grewal told the Herald Sun. A Qantas spokesperson stated that flight crew and emergency services attempted to provide medical assistance. It is believed that Kaur likely died of tuberculosis.
Kaur worked at Australia Post and aspired to become a chef. Following the incident, Grewal has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for her family.
“Hi, my name is Gurdip Grewal and I’m fundraising for Manpreet Kaur. She was a student from my village and was going home. She died on a plane during takeoff at Melbourne Airport. 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 honour 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,” he wrote.
Victoria Police are preparing a report for the coroner. A Qantas spokesperson expressed condolences, stating that their “thoughts are with her family and loved ones.”