Survivor of Air India Crash Reflects on Tragedy

The lone survivor of the June Air India crash in Ahmedabad shared his thoughts with BBC News, expressing that he feels like the “luckiest man alive.” However, he also finds this label somewhat harsh as he mourns the loss of his brother, while dealing with the lasting emotional and physical impacts of the disaster.

Vishwashkumar Ramesh, aged 39, was the only person to escape from the wreckage after the Boeing 787, en route to London, crashed shortly after takeoff. He described his survival as a “miracle,” but the grief for his brother and the trauma he has experienced have made normalcy elusive.

“I lost my brother. He was my support,” Ramesh noted. “He has always been there for me.”

Since the crash, during which Air India Flight AI171 went down into a residential area shortly after takeoff, Ramesh has been struggling with severe post-traumatic stress. After returning to Leicester, he found it hard to communicate with his wife and young son. “Now I’m alone,” he mentioned. “I just sit in my room and don’t talk to them. I prefer being by myself.”

The flight, which was carrying 242 passengers and crew, went down at around 1:38 pm local time, five minutes after takeoff.

Videos from the scene showed smoke emanating from the wreckage while Ramesh was captured on film stumbling away with minor injuries. He recounted how he managed to escape by unbuckling his seatbelt and crawling out through an opening near his seat. When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited him in the hospital, Ramesh found it difficult to revisit the trauma. “I’ve been thinking about it all night, and I’m suffering mentally. Every day is painful for my entire family,” he explained.

Ramesh continues to endure physical pain from various injuries that prevent him from working or even driving. “When I walk, I can’t do so properly. I have to go slowly, and my wife helps me,” he shared.

Advisers revealed that Ramesh was diagnosed with PTSD while hospitalized, although he hasn’t had further treatment since returning to the UK.

Community members accompanying him have pleaded for the attention of Air India executives. “They are in crisis mentally, physically, and financially,” one supporter lamented. “His family is devastated.” They expressed frustration that their repeated requests to meet with the airline had gone unanswered.

Despite this, Air India has asserted that they are actively engaging with victims’ families and that discussions to meet Ramesh’s representatives “remain open.” The airline emphasized that addressing the needs of Ramesh and others affected by the crash is their utmost priority.