Indian Plane Crash Sole Survivor Recounts Escape from Fiery Wreck
An Indian-origin British national has emerged as the sole survivor of a tragic Air India crash that killed over 240 people, including passengers, crew members, and residents on the ground.
The incident occurred shortly after the aircraft took off from Ahmedabad en route to London Gatwick.
Identified as 40-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the lone survivor recounted the terrifying moments leading up to the crash and his narrow escape.
“I opened my eyes and realised I was still alive,” Ramesh told reporters from his hospital bed, visibly shaken but stable. He had been seated in 11A beside an emergency exit, which ultimately became his route to survival.
According to his account, the aircraft stalled mid-air, and the lights inside the cabin flickered ominously.
Moments later, the Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner plummeted and crashed into a nearby medical college hostel, igniting a massive fire.
Ramesh said he unbuckled himself and squeezed out through a broken emergency hatch. He was later found walking away from the wreckage with minor burns on his arm and blood stains on his shirt.
The flight, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, crashed into the hostel complex shortly after takeoff.
At least 28 students in the hostel lost their lives, and dozens more were injured and taken to nearby hospitals.
India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, visited the crash site and met with Ramesh at the hospital, expressing his condolences to victims’ families and promising a thorough investigation.
Preliminary investigations suggest the crash could have been caused by a mechanical failure.
Authorities are examining possible issues with engine thrust, bird strikes, or misconfigured flaps. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the inquiry with support from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Boeing, and General Electric.
The deadly crash has reignited debates around aviation safety protocols in India and raised concerns about the maintenance of older aircraft.
The Boeing 787‑8 involved in the incident had been in service for 12 years.
As investigators continue their probe, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh’s miraculous survival has captured international attention, symbolising a rare moment of hope amid overwhelming tragedy.
