Air India Crash: Lone Survivor Says ‘I Don’t Know How I Survived’

Lone Survivor Recounts Horrifying Moments of Air India Crash in Ahmedabad

In what is being called a miraculous escape, 40-year-old British-Indian Vishwash Kumar Ramesh emerged as the sole survivor of the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. Struggling to process the trauma, Kumar, who is currently admitted to a hospital in Ahmedabad, shared his harrowing account of the incident that claimed several lives.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to the hospital where Kumar is undergoing treatment. The Prime Minister met with him personally to offer his support and expressed solidarity in the face of such a devastating event.

Survivor’s Account of the Tragedy

  • Vishwash Kumar Ramesh was seated in 11A, directly beside the emergency door.
  • Recalling the crash, he said, “I don’t know how I came out of it alive.”
  • For a few terrifying moments, he believed he was about to die.
  • When he regained consciousness, he realized he had survived, unbuckled his seatbelt, and escaped through the damaged aircraft.

Scene of Chaos and Despair

  • Kumar described witnessing fellow passengers, including flight attendants and elderly passengers, perish before his eyes.
  • The plane had slammed into a hostel, and the emergency exit door near him had come off due to the impact.
  • He emphasized that he wasn’t on the roof of the hostel, but rather near the ground floor, where there was a small space he used to escape.
  • He said the building wall on the opposite side had collapsed, and he didn’t think anyone else had a chance to make it out that way.

Immediate Aftermath and Injuries

  • Shortly after the crash, a fire broke out, burning his arm.
  • Kumar was visibly emotional as he spoke about the two air hostesses who died in front of him.
  • His trauma was evident during the interview with Doordarshan, as he choked on his words while reliving those dreadful moments.

What Went Wrong: Kumar’s Recollection

  • He recalled that just one minute after takeoff, something felt wrong with the plane.
  • “It felt like the plane had got stuck,” he said.
  • Green and white lights began to flash inside the cabin, a detail that still baffles him.
  • The pilots attempted to lift the plane, but it failed to gain altitude and ultimately crashed at full speed into the building.

Political Response and National Attention

  • Prime Minister Modi’s hospital visit underscores the gravity of the incident and the nation’s concern.
  • The crash has triggered national mourning and raised serious questions about flight safety and emergency response protocols.

Public Sentiment and Ongoing Investigation

  • The public has been expressing sorrow and outrage on social media over the tragic loss of life.
  • Aviation authorities have initiated a full-scale investigation into the technical and operational causes of the crash.
  • Preliminary findings will be crucial in determining accountability and preventing such accidents in the future.

Vishwash Kumar’s Journey Ahead

  • For Kumar, the road to recovery—both physical and emotional—will be long and difficult.
  • Mental health support and trauma counseling are expected to be a key part of his rehabilitation.
  • While he remains hospitalized, he continues to receive medical attention for his burn injuries and is under observation.

Conclusion

The Air India crash in Ahmedabad has left the country stunned and grieving. Amid the sorrow, the survival of Vishwash Kumar Ramesh stands as a symbol of hope. His chilling account provides critical insight into the final moments of the ill-fated flight, and will likely aid investigators in understanding what went so terribly wrong. As the nation awaits answers, the lone survivor’s story reminds us of the fragility of life and the strength of the human spirit in the face of catastrophe.