Air India plane crash sole survivor, Vishwashkumar Ramesh lying in hospital bed as he is visited by Indian Prime Minister, Minister Narendra
Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British businessman from Leicester, was the sole survivor of the devastating Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, India.
In an emotional interview, Ramesh recounted his terrifying experience, describing how he managed to escape the wreckage.
*I walked out of the rubble*
“I managed to unbuckle myself, used my leg to push through that opening, and crawled out,” Ramesh told India State media, DD News from his hospital bed.
“I saw people dying in front of my eyes – the air hostesses, and two people I saw near me…
For a moment, I felt like I was going to die too, but when I opened my eyes and looked around, I realized I was alive.”
Ramesh’s voice trembled as he recalled the moments after the crash.
*The Crash*
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, flight AI 171 from London to Ahmedabad, crashed into a building used as accommodation for doctors at the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College and Civil Hospital shortly after takeoff.
Ramesh, who was seated in 11A, described the horrifying moments leading up to the crash: “The lights started flickering green and white… suddenly slammed into a building and exploded.”
The impact was intense, and Ramesh’s section of the plane was severely damaged.
*Miraculous Escape*
Ramesh credited his survival to the section of the plane he was in, which landed near the ground and didn’t make contact with the building.
“When the door broke and I saw there was some space, I tried to get out of there and I did,” he said.
“No one could have got out from the opposite side, which was towards the wall, because it crashed there.”
*Aftermath*
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and met with injured survivors, including Ramesh, and families of victims.
The UK Foreign Office has offered consular support to Ramesh and families of British nationals onboard.
A Downing Street spokesman said the Foreign Office had been “in contact with Mr Ramesh this morning to offer consular support.”
Ramesh’s family, who were in India on holiday, spoke to him on Friday morning and were relieved to hear he was able to walk and speak properly. “We want to get out as soon as possible and meet… Vishwashkumar,” his cousin, Hiren Kantilal, said.
The family is seeking further support from the British government to get to India.
Dr. Dhaval Gameti, who treated Ramesh, said he was “disorientated, with multiple injuries all over his body,” but that he appears to be “out of danger.” Ramesh is receiving medical attention and is expected to make a full recovery.
*Investigation underway*
The cause of the crash is still unknown, and officials are investigating the incident.
One black box has been recovered from the crash site, which will provide further information for investigators.
The recovery of the black box is a crucial step in determining the cause of the crash.
(With additional report from the BBC)
