Survivor of Air India Crash Shares His Heartbreaking Journey
In a tragic incident in June, Viswashkumar Ramesh became the sole survivor of a horrific Air India plane crash shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. Reflecting on his experience, Ramesh described himself as the “luckiest man” alive, yet he feels remorseful as he mourns the loss of his younger brother, who passed away in the crash.
At 39, Ramesh was aboard the Boeing 787 heading to London when the aircraft went down only five minutes after takeoff. While he managed to escape, the emotional and physical scars of the disaster are following him.
“I lost my brother. He was my support,” Ramesh shared. “In the last few years, he was always by my side.”
Now back home in Leicester, Ramesh grapples with severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and has difficulty connecting with his wife and young son. “I find it hard to talk to them,” he said. “I just feel so alone and prefer to stay in my room.”
The doomed flight, which had 242 people on board, crashed in the Meghani Nagar neighborhood at around 1:38 p.m. local time. Video footage captured the scene, showing smoke rising from the wreckage as Ramesh emerged with minor injuries.
Later, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited him in the hospital, where Ramesh recalled escaping through a small opening in the plane’s fuselage. He vividly remembers the terror of that day, saying, “I think about that moment all night. It’s mental torture for me.”
Despite his physical injuries, including pain in his legs and back that limit his ability to work or drive, Ramesh’s emotional struggle is even greater. “Every day is a battle for my family,” he revealed.
His advisors have noted that while he was diagnosed with PTSD during his hospital stay, he has not received adequate follow-up care since returning to the UK. Describing Ramesh as “lost and broken,” advocates urge Air India to meet with him and other families impacted by the tragedy.
“They are in crisis—mentally, physically, and financially,” said community leader Sanjiv Patel. “This has devastated his family.”
Requests for meetings with Air India executives have gone unanswered, leading to calls for the airline to take responsibility. Ramesh’s family members seek support and closure during this difficult time.
In response, Air India assured that they have been visiting the families of victims and expressed their commitment to helping those affected. They stated that their priority is providing care for Ramesh and others impacted by the crash and remain open to meeting with families.
This heartbreaking story highlights the ongoing struggles of survivors and victims’ families, emphasizing the need for support and understanding as they navigate this difficult journey.
