Solemn farewell to Air Force personnel killed by speeding Audi during Republic Day parade rehearsals

Kolkata: A solemn parade was on Thursday held to bid farewell to the young airman, who lost his life after being hit by a speeding car during the Republic Day parade rehearsals.

The body of corporal Abhimanyu Gaud was flown to Mumbai accompanied by his elder brother, father, uncle and his teacher who taught him as a child. From Mumbai the family will go by road to their hometown in Gujarat's Surat.

In the wee hours, a team of Army and Air Force personnel conducted the solemn parade at the Command Hospital. Wreaths were placed on the coffin of the departed soul by officers from the police, Army and the Air Force.

The coffin was then placed in an Army vehicle and taken to the airport for the flight to Mumbai and further on by road to Surat.

One Corporal from Advance Headquarters Eastern Air Command will accompany the body to Surat.

The 21-year-old Air Force officer was knocked down and killed by an Audi car which broke three guard rails and barged into the parade rehearsal on Red Road.