A 40-year-old British citizen of Indian origin, Mr. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, has emerged as the only survivor of Thursday’s tragic Air India plane crash that claimed 241 lives.
The ill-fated Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a medical college hostel just seconds after take-off from Ahmedabad, leaving behind a trail of destruction and sorrow. But amid the wreckage, Vishwash lived to tell the story.
Here are six key facts about the lone survivor of one of India’s worst aviation disasters:
- Based in the UK With His Family
Mr. Vishwash resides in Leicester, United Kingdom, with his wife and child. He had travelled to India to visit relatives in Diu, a coastal town, and was on his way back to the UK when the crash occurred. His elder brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh, 45, was also on the same flight.
- Sat in Seat 11A on the Doomed Aircraft
Vishwash was seated in 11A while his brother was positioned several rows away. The aircraft crashed just 33 seconds after take-off, giving little to no time for passengers to respond.
“There was a loud noise, and then everything collapsed. It happened too fast,” he recalled in an interview with the Hindustan Times.
- Escaped the Crash Site Barefoot and Wounded
Footage captured moments after the crash showed Vishwash staggering out of the wreckage barefoot, clutching his boarding pass and bleeding. His shirt was soaked in blood as local emergency responders rushed him into an ambulance.
“When I stood up, there were bodies all around. I panicked and ran. The plane was in pieces,” he recounted emotionally.
- Recovering in Hospital
Medical personnel at Civil Hospital in Asarwa confirmed that Vishwash sustained injuries to his chest, eyes, and feet. According to Dr. Rajnish Patel, the head of surgery, he is stable and expected to be discharged soon.
“He is responding well and under close monitoring,” the doctor assured.
- Grieving His Missing Brother
Though physically recovering, Vishwash remains mentally shaken. His brother, Ajay, has yet to be found among the survivors or identified in the wreckage.
“We were on the same flight. Now I can’t find him,” he said in a low tone from his hospital bed.
- Tagged a Miracle Survivor
Rescue workers and health officials have described his survival as “nothing short of a miracle.” With 241 confirmed dead out of 242 people on board, Vishwash’s story has gained global attention, offering a rare moment of hope in an otherwise grim tragedy.
