Sole Survivor of Air India Plane Crash, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, Recounts Harrowing Escape

The only survivor of the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash, which occurred yesterday near Ahmedabad, has shared his emotional and harrowing account of the tragic disaster that claimed the lives of 241 people.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national residing in London with his wife and child, is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Ahmedabad, India. The ill-fated Air India Flight AI171, bound for London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, resulting in a catastrophic explosion.

“I Thought I Was Going to Die” – Ramesh Shares His Experience

While speaking to Indian broadcaster Doordarshan, Mr. Ramesh said he had been seated next to an emergency exit door, which he believes saved his life. According to him, shortly after takeoff, the aircraft suddenly lost altitude, split mid-air, and he was ejected from the fuselage moments before a loud explosion engulfed the plane in flames.

“I don’t know how I survived. For a moment, I thought this was the end. But when I opened my eyes, I realized I was alive. I unlocked my seatbelt and got out,” he recalled, adding that two flight attendants died right before his eyes.

Emergency Exit Came Off on Impact

Ramesh explained that the emergency door detached when the aircraft slammed into a residential building, enabling his escape. His seat placement near the emergency exit played a crucial role in his miraculous survival.

He also described the pilots’ last attempt to regain control of the plane:

“They tried to lift it, but the aircraft went at full speed and crashed into a building.”

Medical Condition Stable, Survivor Out of Danger

Dr. Dhaval Gameti, who examined Mr. Ramesh, told the Associated Press that the survivor was “disoriented and suffered multiple injuries,” but is now considered out of danger and under continuous observation.

The crash, which involved 242 individuals including passengers and crew, has been described as one of the worst aviation tragedies in recent Indian history. Rescue efforts remain ongoing, and authorities are conducting DNA identification for the recovered victims.