Indian-Australian student Manpreet Kaur was going to visit her family after four years but tragically died just before her flight could take off from Melbourne for New Delhi on 20th June 2024.
News.com.au reported that according to a friend, Ms Kaur reportedly “felt unwell” hours before arriving at the airport but managed to board the flight without any issues. However, when she went to put on her seatbelt, she apparently fell to the floor and “died on the spot”.
The plane was still attached to the gate in Melbourne when cabin crew and emergency services rushed to help added the report.
Her friend Gurdip Grewal told the Herald Sun that when she got on the plane, she was struggling to put her seatbelt on.
“Just before her flight started, she fell in front of her seat and died on the spot.”
According to the the Herald Sun it is understood that Ms Kaur likely died of tuberculosis.
Her roommate, Kuldeep told the Herald Sun that Ms Kaur had worked at Australia Post while studying cookery, with dreams of one day becoming a chef.
“She was kind and honest, she loved to travel with her friends around Victoria.”
Ms Kaur first moved to Australia in March 2020 and was returning to India for the first time in four years to see her parents.
Ms Kaur’s friend Gurdip Grewal has created a GoFundMe page for her family after her sudden demise.
“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.
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.”
A Qantas spokesperson told news.com.au that their “thoughts are with her family and loved ones”.
