A young woman was on her way to visit family in India for the first time in four years when she died on a Qantas flight right before it took off in Australia.
Manpreet Kaur, 24, suffered a medical episode after boarding the plane at Tullamarine Airport, in Melbourne, on June 20.
Medical assistance was immediately provided to Ms Kaur before she died in front of concerned passengers. She is understood to have died from tuberculosis.
The plane had been destined to Delhi where Ms Kaur’s family live. The 24-year-old had not seen her family since moving to Australia in March 2020.
A Qantas spokesman said flight crew and emergency services had both attempted to provide medical assistance.
‘Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones,’ the Qantas spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.
Ms Kaur’s friend Gurdip Grewal said the 24-year-old had been feeling unwell in the hours before she arrived at the airport.
‘When she got on the plane, she was struggling to put her seatbelt on,’ he said.
A woman who died on board a Qantas flight from Melbourne to Delhi, Manpreet Kaur (pictured), has been revealed to have been returning home to reunite with family
‘Just before her flight started, she fell in front of her seat and died on the spot.’
Roommate Kuldeep told the Herald Sun Ms Kaur worked at Australia Post and wanted to become a chef.
‘She was kind and honest,’ she said.
‘She loved to travel with her friends around Victoria.’
Mr Grewal launched a GoFundMe in a bid to raise money for her family.
‘Our dear friend Manpreet left us too soon, leaving a void in our lives that can never be filled,’ he wrote.
‘As we grieve her passing, we want to come together to honour her memory and support her family in their time of need.’
Roommate Kuldeep told the Herald Sun Ms Kaur worked at Australia Post and wanted to become a chef
The fundraiser has drawn in just under $25,000 of it’s $30,000 target with more than 670 donations made in just five days.
‘Your support means so much to us and Manpreet’s family, helping them navigate through this challenging period,’ Mr Grewal wrote.
Victoria Police are preparing a report for the coroner.
‘As the matter is before the coroner we will not be providing further comment,’ a spokeswoman said.