Who is Vishwash Kumar Ramesh? All about one survivor in Air India crash

In a shocking development, one man has survived the deadly Air India crash that claimed over 200 lives on Thursday in Ahmedabad. The sole survivor has been identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British-Indian who lives in London and was in India visiting family.

A Miracle Amid Tragedy

Earlier, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Gyanendra Singh Malik told the Associated Press that there were no survivors. However, later reports confirmed that Ramesh had escaped the wreckage alive and was receiving treatment in a local hospital.

Speaking to the Hindustan Times, Ramesh said, “Thirty seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly.”

He suffered impact injuries, including bruising on his chest, eyes, and feet, but remained conscious and alert.

“When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance,” Ramesh said.

Ramesh had traveled to Ahmedabad with his brother, who was also on the ill-fated Air India Flight 171 bound for London Gatwick. Tragically, his brother did not survive the crash.

Survivor’s Boarding Pass A Key Detail

Ramesh still had his boarding pass with him, further verifying his presence on the flight. He was seated in one of the rear rows of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Some aviation experts speculate that this position may have played a role in his survival, though this remains unconfirmed.

Emergency responders say Ramesh was found near the rear section of the aircraft, which was partially intact after the crash.

Background on the Crash

The plane took off from Ahmedabad’s runway 23 at 1:39 p.m. local time and issued a Mayday call moments later. It then lost contact with air traffic control and crashed into a residential building that housed a doctors’ hostel at BJ Medical College. The crash caused a massive fire and widespread destruction.

Hope Amid Horror

While over 240 lives were lost, Ramesh’s survival has brought a rare moment of hope to a day marked by grief and devastation.