‘I’m the Luckiest Man Alive, Yet I’m Suffering’: Air India Crash Survivor Shares His Story
The sole survivor of the Air India plane crash that claimed 241 lives has described his survival as both a miracle and a burden, saying he feels like “the luckiest man alive” but continues to suffer physically and emotionally.
Viswashkumar Ramesh, who miraculously escaped the wreckage of the London-bound Boeing 787 that crashed in Ahmedabad, India, in June, lost his younger brother, Ajay, who was seated just a few rows away. Since returning to his home in Leicester, Ramesh has battled post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and severe depression.
Speaking with BBC News, the 39-year-old said, “I’m the only survivor. Still, I can’t believe it. It’s a miracle. I lost my brother, he was my backbone. He always supported me.”
Ramesh revealed that since the tragedy, his life has been overshadowed by grief. “Now I just sit alone in my room, not talking to my wife or my son. Every day is painful for my whole family,” he said tearfully.
The crash, which occurred shortly after take-off, engulfed the aircraft in flames, killing all passengers and crew on board, along with 19 people on the ground. According to India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, preliminary findings showed that fuel supply to the engines was cut off moments after take-off.
Ramesh, who was seated at 11A near the emergency exit, managed to unbuckle himself and crawl out of the wreckage before being rescued. He sustained serious injuries to his leg, shoulder, knee, and back, leaving him unable to work or drive.
Community leader Sanjiv Patel, who has been supporting Ramesh and his family, said the survivor has been “mentally, physically, and financially devastated.” Ramesh’s family fishing business in Diu, India, which he ran with his late brother, has since collapsed.
His advisers accused Air India of neglect, saying the airline has failed to support Ramesh and other bereaved families adequately. Although Air India offered an interim compensation of £21,500, his representatives argue that it falls far short of his immediate needs.
Spokesman Radd Seiger called on Air India executives to “meet with the victims’ families and put things right,” saying, “It’s appalling that we have to sit here and put him through this. Those responsible should be sitting here, not him.”
Responding to the allegations, Air India, owned by Tata Group, said it remains committed to supporting all affected families and has reached out to Ramesh’s representatives to arrange a meeting.
For now, Ramesh continues to live with the trauma of surviving a tragedy that took everything from him. “Every day, I think about it,” he said quietly. “I’m suffering — mentally and physically.”
BBC