- Pensford postmaster mourns his father’s death in the Air India crash
- Village shop and Post Office faces threat as Royal Mail plans to close its delivery unit
- Community rallies with petition and support
Umang Patel, a local independent store owner and a postmaster in the Somerset village of Pensford near Bristol, is facing the double blow of personal tragedy and professional uncertainty after the death of his father in the recent Air India plane crash at the time when he is also facing a battle with Royal Mail to save his business.
Umang's father Kirit Patel was en route to the UK for his annual summer visit to support his son and daughter-in-law, Vaishali, in running the village shop and Post Office.
He was onboard the fateful Air India flight that crashed soon after take off on June 12 in Ahmedabad.
The shop has reportedly been struggling after Royal Mail decided to close the small delivery office in the branch.
In April, Umang Patel called on the village for support when he told the local parish council that the post office made up 60 per cent of his income, and without it, the branch would not be viable.
The locals rallied in support of the Patel family.
Councillors responded by writing to oppose the closure, arguing it was a “lifeline” for vulnerable residents in the community, with the nearest branch three miles away. A petition has also been launched, with more than 1,200 people signing it.
The family was also the subject of a recent crowdfunding campaign that raised £11,000 in the wake of Kirit's death in the plane crash, but they asked for it to be taken down after costs had been met because they “did not want to take advantage”.
Jim Beacham, a local resident who came up with the idea to raise money, told BBC, "The shop is losing money and it's costing them a fortune. We got to go some way to try and recompense.
"It sounds like a lot of money and he's going to spend more than that on his losses and travel costs. It doesn't help about losing his dad but at least he knows people really love and respect him.
"During covid they were incredible, they kept the whole place going with deliveries. People remember that."
Royal Mail confirmed that a plan was in place to shut the small delivery office, with the date for closure understood to be in September.
It said the change is intended to improve working conditions and efficiency, assuring residents that deliveries will continue uninterrupted.
The Post Office, meanwhile, confirmed it is working with the Patels to explore options to mitigate the financial impact.
Independent quoted the spokesperson, "We have offered our sincere condolences to Pensford Postmaster, Umang Patel, for the tragic death of his father Kirit Patel in the Air India plane crash.
"Umang, his wife Vaishali and two sons are much-loved members of the village community. Umang and Vaishali have run a first-class Post Office and shop for more than 10 years and are very popular as demonstrated by the community rallying round to support them at this very difficult time.”
