Three top Pakistani-American physicians were killed when their private double engine Beech craft Baron crashed Monday night in Palos Hills, a city in the US state of Illinois.
“The three Pakistani-American physicians who died in the air crash were pulmonologist Dr Ali Kanchwala, cardiologist Dr Maria Javed, also wife of Dr Ali Kanchwala and neurosurgeon Dr Taufeequr Rehman — all based in Lawrence, Kansas,” Pakistan’s Consul General in Chicago Faisal Tirmizi told.
“They had gone to Chicago for a shopping trip and were returning in the evening when the aircraft crashed,” Tirmizi said.
The Pakistani consulate has established the contact with the families and friends of the three deceased to provide necessary assistance.
According to initial reports, it appeared that Dr Taufeeq who was flying the aircraft deliberately crashed it in an open area in order to protect houses in a heavily populated area.
Tirmizi said the funeral of Dr Ali Kanchwala and Dr Maria Javed was likely to be held in the US, whereas Dr Taufeequr Rehman’s remains are to be sent to Pakistan for burial.