The only person who survived the Air India plane crash that killed 241 people says his survival was a “miracle,” but he is now suffering from serious physical and emotional pain. 39-year-old Viswashkumar Ramesh, who walked out alive from the wreckage of the London-bound flight in Ahmedabad, has returned to his home in Leicester. He is struggling with post-traumatic stress and the loss of his younger brother Ajay, who was sitting just a few seats away on the flight. Speaking for the first time since returning to the UK, Ramesh said he feels both grateful to be alive and broken by loss. “I still can’t believe I’m the only one who survived. It’s a miracle. But I lost my brother—he was my biggest support,” he said.
The Boeing 787 caught fire shortly after take-off in Ahmedabad. Videos showed Ramesh walking away from the burning plane with minor injuries while thick smoke filled the air. Ramesh said he hasn’t been able to speak properly with his wife and four-year-old son. His mother has also been in deep shock, spending months in silence. “I can’t stop thinking about it. Every day is painful for my family. He still suffers from pain in his leg, shoulder, knee, and back and has been unable to work or drive. The family’s fishing business in Diu, India, which he ran with his brother, has shut down, causing more financial problems. Air India has given him temporary compensation of £21,500, but his advisers say it’s not enough to cover his needs. A preliminary report by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said that the plane’s fuel supply to the engines stopped just seconds after take-off, though the investigation is still ongoing.
