Vishwashkumar Ramesh, the only survivor of the Air India plane crash, recounted his escape from the wreckage through an opening in the fuselage, as investigations continue into the tragic incident that resulted in over 200 fatalities.
British Man Recalls Miraculous Escape from Air India Plane Crash
British Man Recalls Miraculous Escape from Air India Plane Crash
Survivor Vishwashkumar Ramesh describes his harrowing experience fleeing the wreckage of the Air India plane that crashed shortly after takeoff, leaving all other passengers dead.
A British man, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, who astonishingly survived the devastating Air India plane crash on Thursday, shared his harrowing account of escape from the wreckage. Speaking to Indian state media DD News, the 40-year-old recounted how he managed to unbuckle himself and navigate through a small opening in the aircraft’s fuselage. "I pushed through that opening and crawled out," he stated, noting that he was seated in row 11A of the London-bound Boeing 787 flight when it crashed shortly after departing from Ahmedabad, western India.
The crash tragically claimed the lives of all 200 other passengers and crew members, including 169 Indian nationals and 52 British nationals. Although recovery efforts have yielded over 200 bodies from the wreckage, officials have yet to clarify how many were aboard the plane and how many were individuals from the ground.
From his hospital bed, Ramesh described a terrifying scene: "The lights inside the aircraft started flickering just moments after takeoff." He explained that within seconds, it felt like the plane was "stuck in the air" before it abruptly slammed into a building, resulting in an explosion. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner collided with an accommodation building for medical staff at the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College and Civil Hospital.
He recounted, "When the door broke and I saw there was some space, I tried to get out of there, and I did." Ramesh emphasized that anyone seated on the opposite side of the plane would have had almost no chance of escape due to the impact with the building.
The precise cause of the crash remains under investigation, as officials have recovered one of the aircraft's black boxes, which is anticipated to provide crucial data for the inquiry. Social media footage captured Ramesh making his way to an ambulance, smoke rising ominously in the background.
In further remarks, he expressed disbelief at his survival amidst the chaos: "I saw people dying in front of my eyes – the air hostesses and two others near me." The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on him, yet he found himself bewildered that he emerged alive. "I still can't believe how I survived. I walked out of the rubble."
Dr. Dhaval Gameti, who treated Ramesh's injuries, reported that he was disoriented but is now "out of danger." Following the incident, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and the hospital to offer support to the victims' families and the sole survivor.
Ramesh's brother, Ajay, had been traveling on the same flight, and their cousin Hiren Kantilal relayed that the family had been in India for a holiday. They have since communicated with Ramesh and are seeking assistance from the British government to travel to India for support during this tragic time. The UK Foreign Office has opened helplines for those affected by the disaster.
Originally from India, Ramesh has resided in the UK since 2003 and is a businessman with a wife and a four-year-old son. As investigations continue, the families of the victims mourn the heartbreaking loss of their loved ones.
