British Survivor of Air India Plane Crash Shares Miraculous Escape Story
In a shocking turn of events, a British man named Vishwash Kumar Ramesh emerged as the sole survivor of the devastating Air India Flight 171 crash that occurred shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. In a heartfelt phone call to his family just moments after the incident, he expressed disbelief, saying, "I don’t know how I’m alive," according to his brother, Nayan.
The Tragic Incident
On Thursday afternoon, Air India Flight 171 crashed into a building shortly after departing from Ahmedabad. Family members confirmed that they managed to speak with Vishwash following the crash, but they have yet to locate his brother, who was also believed to be on board.
Nayan Kumar Ramesh, speaking from Leicester, recounted the distressing moment when their father was on the phone with Vishwash while the aircraft was still on the runway. Just two minutes later, Vishwash video-called his father to convey the harrowing news: "Oh, the plane’s crashed. I don’t know where my brother is. I don’t see any other passengers. I don’t know how I’m alive—how I exited the plane."
Heroic Escape
According to Vidhi Chaudhary, a senior police officer in Ahmedabad, Vishwash was seated near an emergency exit, which allowed him to escape by jumping out of the emergency door. In an interview with the Hindustan Times, he described hearing a "loud noise" approximately 30 seconds after takeoff, followed by the aircraft’s rapid descent. "It all happened so quickly," he recalled, mentioning he sustained injuries to his chest, eyes, and feet.
Upon regaining consciousness, Vishwash found himself surrounded by debris and bodies. "I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me," he shared. A good Samaritan helped him into an ambulance, which took him to the hospital.
Recovery and Emotional Toll
Sky News correspondent Neville Lazarus spoke with Vishwash in the hospital, where he was recovering in blue scrubs with visible bruises. Despite his injuries, he was coherent and able to communicate with medical staff. Dr. Shariq, who treated him, confirmed that while he had minor cuts and bruises, his condition was stable, though he appeared mentally shaken.
Outside the ward, the atmosphere was somber, as families gathered at the hospital, desperately searching for their loved ones. The emotional toll of the tragedy was palpable, with cries erupting every time an ambulance arrived.
Nayan expressed his disbelief at his brother’s survival, saying, "It’s a miracle that he survived – but what about the other miracle for my other brother?" He added that the family was devastated and described his newfound fear of flying.
The Wider Impact
The crash resulted in the tragic loss of three British nationals: Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa, and their four-year-old daughter, Sara. The aircraft was carrying 242 individuals, including a mix of nationalities from India, the UK, Portugal, and Canada.
The Flight 171 incident marks a significant tragedy in aviation history, becoming the first crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which has completed millions of flights since its introduction.
As details continue to emerge, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, stating, "The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words."
For those impacted by the crash, support services are being established, and individuals seeking assistance can contact the UK Foreign Office or Air India for more information.
This story is still developing, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available. Stay tuned for the latest updates, and consider following this story on social media for real-time alerts.
