The devastating aftermath of the Air India crash in Ahmedabad continues to haunt Vishwaskumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of the incident. Miraculously escaping seat 11A of the ill-fated London-bound Boeing 787, Ramesh shared his painful journey, caught between gratitude for survival and the profound grief over everything he lost.
Ramesh still struggles to comprehend his survival from the crash that claimed 241 lives. “I’m only one survivor. Still, I’m not believing. It’s a miracle,” he told BBC News. The crash, which occurred shortly after takeoff, tragically resulted in the deaths of 169 Indian nationals, 52 British citizens, and 19 individuals on the ground. Preliminary investigations suggest a fuel supply issue to the engines was the cause.
The image of Ramesh walking away from the burning wreckage became a global headline. However, survival came at an immense personal cost. His younger brother, Ajay, who was seated nearby, did not survive.
“I lost my brother as well. My brother is my backbone. Last few years, he was always supporting me,” Ramesh shared, his voice trembling as he recounted the loss to the BBC.
Despite being hailed as the “luckiest man alive,” Ramesh’s life has been overshadowed by isolation and anguish. Upon returning to his home in Leicester, he has been battling severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). His advisors report that he has been unable to communicate with his wife or their four-year-old son.
“Now I’m alone. I just sit in my room alone, not talking with my wife, my son. I just like to be alone in my house,” he confessed.
The physical toll is also significant. The 39-year-old still experiences pain in his leg, shoulder, knee, and back, affecting his mobility. “When I walk, I don’t walk properly, slowly, slowly, my wife helps,” he said.
The trauma has extended to his entire family. “Physically, mentally, also my family as well, mentally… my mum last four months, she is sitting every day outside the door, not talking, nothing,” Ramesh revealed.
He added, “I can’t talk about much. I’m thinking all night, I’m suffering mentally. Every day is painful for the whole family.”
As investigations into the Air India tragedy continue, the airline has stated that the welfare of Ramesh and the families of the victims remains its top priority. For Ramesh, however, the path to healing remains long and arduous.