The Traumatizing Impact of the Air India Crash on Teen Witness

Aryan Asari, a young aviation enthusiast, recorded the shocking crash of an Air India Dreamliner in Ahmedabad, leading to significant trauma. As investigations unfold, the teenager faces immense media attention and personal upheaval, leaving him fearful and changed.

The recent crash of an Air India Dreamliner 787-8 in Ahmedabad has left not only a grieving community but also deeply affected a local teenager, Aryan Asari. At just 17 years old, Aryan captured the tragedy on video while indulging in his hobby of spotting planes from his father’s terrace. This visceral footage, which has gained wide circulation, plays a crucial role in ongoing investigations into one of India’s most devastating aviation disasters, claiming 241 lives on board and nearly 30 on the ground.

Aryan's father, Maganbhai Asari, expressed shock at the incident, highlighting how deeply the crash has affected the young boy. Aryan’s fascination with aircraft began in his village, where he would often rush outside to catch glimpses of planes flying overhead. Having recently moved to Ahmedabad for the first time alongside his sister, the opportunity to observe planes more closely was thrilling for Aryan, until that fateful day when he witnessed the Air India flight spiraling out of control.

The moment of the crash was harrowing. "I saw the plane wobbling as it descended,” Aryan recounted in an interview. Unable to fully comprehend the imminent disaster, he filmed the plane as it lost altitude and finally crashed. The aftermath was nothing short of catastrophic, and as thick smoke engulfed the area, both fright and confusion overwhelmed Aryan. After capturing the moments on his phone, he called his father in a state of panic, a moment that would haunt him amid the ensuing chaos.

What followed was an onslaught of media attention. Overwhelmed by reporters and neighbors seeking to learn more about his experience, the Asari family found themselves in a nightmare scenario. Aryan's father recounted how their home became a hub for journalists, leaving them feeling trapped. The police also visited their home to gather Aryan's account of the events, which only intensified the boy's distress.

Despite returning to school in his village, Aryan struggles with the psychological impact of the tragedy. His father noted that the boy is terrified by the sound of ringing phones, and he has lost interest in his former hobby of aircraft spotting. “I don’t think my son will try looking for planes again," Maganbhai Asari lamented, fearing for Aryan's long-term well-being.

As investigators probe the circumstances surrounding the crash, the Asari family faces a painful journey of recovery and adaptation. Aryan's traumatic experience serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost behind aviation disasters, highlighting the lasting impact on witnesses caught in the events. The hope remains that with love and time, Aryan can slowly reclaim a sense of normalcy in his life.