Sole Survivor Describes Air India Crash Horror
In a tragic event, an Air India flight from Ahmedabad, India, to London crashed shortly after takeoff, claiming 241 lives. One passenger, Viswashkumar Ramesh, miraculously survived. He recounts the terrifying moments and the aftermath of this devastating aviation disaster.
A Harrowing Account
Moments after the plane left the ground, the aircraft seemed to falter in mid-air, according to Ramesh. Green and white lights flashed, followed by the engines accelerating, but failing to gain altitude before the crash. His side of the plane hit the ground floor of a building, creating an escape route.
“When I opened my eyes, I realised I was alive,” he said.
—Viswashkumar Ramesh
Ramesh, who was in seat 11A, suffered burns to his left hand. He walked in shock before locals assisted him and transported him to a hospital. He told Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited the crash site, what he had seen.
Family’s Relief and Grief
Ramesh, who was traveling with his brother, called relatives after the crash. His cousin, Ajay Valgi, shared that the family is relieved about Ramesh’s survival but heartbroken over the loss of his brother. His brother called his father after the crash, sharing the horrific scene.
“He video called my dad as he crashed and said, ‘Oh the plane’s crashed. I don’t know where my brother is. I don’t see any other passengers. I don’t know how I’m alive, how I exited the plane’,” he told Sky.
—Nayan Kumar Ramesh, Brother
According to the Aviation Safety Network database, this was the first crash for a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner since it entered service in 2009. The crash occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, a city in the state of Gujarat.
The Crash Site
Ramesh, who had his boarding pass, witnessed the deaths of several passengers and crew. Sections of the plane were strewn about the crash site. The incident is one of India’s worst aviation disasters.
In 2023, there were 303 fatal aviation accidents worldwide, according to the Aviation Safety Network, marking a slight increase from the 296 in 2022 (Aviation Safety Network).
The survivor, Viswashkumar Ramesh, is currently recovering in a local hospital. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, while the community mourns the victims.
