Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national, is the sole survivor of Thursday’s Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. He recounted his escape to Indian state media, DD News, describing how he unbuckled his seatbelt in seat 11A and used his leg to force his way through a fuselage opening after the Boeing 787 crashed shortly after takeoff.
All other passengers and crew perished in the accident, including 169 Indian and 52 British nationals. Over 200 bodies have been recovered, though the precise breakdown between passengers and those on the ground remains unclear.
Mr. Ramesh described the events leading to the crash, noting flickering lights followed by a sudden, jarring impact. He stated that the plane felt as though it was “stuck in the air” before a violent crash, resulting in an explosion. The aircraft impacted a building housing doctors at the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College and Civil Hospital, but his section of the plane landed near the ground and avoided direct contact with the structure.
Mr. Ramesh, a businessman from Leicester with a wife and young son, emphasized the crucial role of the broken door in his escape. He explained that escaping from the opposite side was impossible due to the impact with the building.
While the cause of the crash remains under investigation, one black box has been recovered. Video footage circulating on social media shows Mr. Ramesh walking towards an ambulance amidst smoke. He expressed disbelief at his survival, recounting the harrowing sight of fatalities around him.
Dr. Dhaval Gameti, Mr. Ramesh’s treating physician, reported that while he sustained multiple injuries, he is now out of immediate danger. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited both the crash site and Mr. Ramesh in the hospital. The UK Foreign Office has confirmed contact with Mr. Ramesh and offered consular support. Mr. Ramesh, who has lived in the UK since 2003, was visiting India with his brother, who was also on the flight. His cousin confirmed contact with him and expressed a desire to travel to India for a reunion, while requesting further support from the British government.
The Foreign Office has established helplines to aid British nationals affected by the tragedy, offering consular assistance to those in the UK and India.