- Sole survivor describes crash survival as a “miracle”
- Lost his brother, suffers severe trauma and chronic pain
- Advisers accuse Air India of neglect and demand a meeting
The sole survivor of the Air India plane crash that claimed 241 lives has described himself as the “luckiest man alive” — but says he continues to suffer both physically and mentally from the tragedy.
Viswashkumar Ramesh miraculously walked away from the wreckage of the London-bound Air India flight after it crashed shortly after take-off in Ahmedabad, stunning the world.
He called his survival a “miracle” but revealed the devastating personal loss he has endured — his younger brother Ajay, who was seated just a few rows away, died in the June crash.
Since returning home to Leicester, Mr. Ramesh has been battling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and has withdrawn from his family, according to his advisers. He has reportedly been unable to speak to his wife and four-year-old son since the accident.
Flames engulfed the Boeing 787 shortly after take-off, and dramatic footage at the time showed Mr. Ramesh walking from the burning wreckage with minor visible injuries as smoke billowed behind him.
Speaking to BBC News, an emotional Ramesh said:
“I’m the only survivor. I still can’t believe it. It’s a miracle. I lost my brother — he was my backbone, always supporting me.”
He said the experience has left him emotionally shattered and isolated:
“Now I’m alone. I just sit in my room, not talking to my wife or my son. I just want to be alone.”
From his hospital bed in India, Ramesh earlier recounted how he unbuckled his seatbelt and crawled out of the burning aircraft before being rescued. He later met Prime Minister Narendra Modi while receiving treatment.
Of the 241 victims, 169 were Indian nationals, 52 were Britons, and 19 others died on the ground.
A preliminary report by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) found that fuel supply to the engines was cut off seconds after take-off. Air India has pledged that support for Mr. Ramesh and other affected families “remains an absolute priority.”
This was the first time the 39-year-old had spoken publicly since returning to the UK. During the interview in Leicester, where he was accompanied by community leader Sanjiv Patel and spokesperson Radd Seiger, Ramesh broke down multiple times.
“Physically and mentally, it’s very difficult,” he said. “My mother sits outside the house every day, silent. We’re all suffering.”
Mr. Ramesh still experiences chronic pain in his leg, shoulder, knee, and back and has been unable to work or drive since the crash.
“When I walk, it’s slow. My wife helps me,” he said softly.
Diagnosed with PTSD in India, he has not received follow-up care since returning home. His advisers described him as “lost and broken,” calling for urgent support from the airline.
Mr. Patel said the family was in mental, physical, and financial crisis:
“Whoever is responsible should be meeting the victims face-to-face to understand their suffering.”
Air India has offered an interim compensation of £21,500, which Ramesh accepted, but his advisers say it is insufficient given his current situation. His family’s fishing business in Diu, which he ran with his late brother, has collapsed since the crash.
Spokesperson Radd Seiger said repeated requests for a meeting with Air India executives had been ignored or declined.
“It’s appalling that we have to do this publicly. The airline’s leaders should be here, helping to put things right,” he said.
In a statement, Air India, owned by the Tata Group, said senior officials have been meeting affected families and expressed their deepest condolences.
“An offer has been made to Mr. Ramesh’s representatives to arrange such a meeting. We continue to reach out and hope for a positive response,” the airline said, adding that the offer had been extended prior to the media interviews.
