Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 39, was the sole survivor of the Air India crash in the Indian city of Ahmedabad, which killed 241 people including his brother Ajay
The only survivor of the Air India plane crash which claimed 241 lives has described it as a “miracle” he is still alive after ‘jumping from the plane’, though the loss of his brother has “taken all my happiness”. Nearly four months after the Air India disaster on the flight heading for Gatwick, Briton Vishwash Kumar Ramesh told the PA news agency the tragedy has left him experiencing constant “flashbacks”.
The 39-year-old called his survival a “miracle”, but said losing his brother Ajay, who was travelling on the same aircraft, meant his family has “lost everything”. Mr Ramesh, who lives in Leicester, said discussing the crash remains “very painful”, and his advisers have revealed he has yet to speak about the incident with close relatives.
The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner ploughed into a medical college moments after departing from Ahmedabad Airport on 12 June, killing all on board except Mr Ramesh. The crash claimed the lives of 169 Indian passengers and 52 British nationals, making it among the deadliest air disasters in terms of British fatalities.
Beyond those aboard flight AI171, a further 19 people died and 67 sustained serious injuries. Mr Ramesh’s advisers, Sanjiv Patel and Radd Seiger, have condemned the care he has received following the crash, stating he has been treated like a “name on a spreadsheet”.
The family has urged the airline’s chief executive, Campbell Wilson, to meet with them to discuss Mr Ramesh’s current situation, alleging that he has “ignored repeated written requests”. Air India issued a statement saying that a meeting with senior leaders from the airline’s parent company, Tata Group, has been offered, and emphasised that caring for the families of the crash victims, including Mr Ramesh, “remains our absolute priority”.
It is understood that an interim payment has been accepted and transferred to Mr Ramesh. A preliminary report from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau into the incident found that both of the plane’s fuel switches were moved to the “cut-off” position “immediately” after take-off, halting fuel supply to the engine.
This has raised questions about whether the crash was intentional. In an interview with PA, Mr Ramesh said the incident and the loss of his brother have “completely brought down my family”. He stated: “I can’t explain about my brother.
“I lost everything – my happiness. God gave me life but took all my happiness, and from my family. It completely brought down my family… it’s very difficult for me and my family.”
Mr Ramesh admitted that recalling the crash itself was still too painful to talk about, adding that he could not bring himself to speak about what his first memory was after the incident. Following the interview, in a statement prepared with the help of his advisers, he expressed that he was ‘broken’ and suffers from sleepless nights due to ‘flashbacks’.
He stated: “I get flashbacks all the time, I just stay awake, I sleep maybe three to four hours. Yes it’s a miracle I survived, but I lost everything, I lost my brother, I’m broken.”
Regarding his brother, Mr Ramesh’s statement continued: “We were all happy, enjoying (life). My brother was my strength, he was my everything. And now? We’re broken, I don’t feel like talking to anyone.”
During his interview, Mr Ramesh expressed gratitude for the support of his extended family, but revealed that his mother, father and younger brother ‘totally broke down’ following the crash. He told PA: “My family have given me good support.
“My mother, father and my younger brother totally broke down – like mentally. And also me – mentally, physically.”
Mr Ramesh wore a New York Yankees cap to the interview in memory of Ajay, who frequently sported an identical cap, including on the flight. He continued: “My uncle, my cousin, my friends, Sanjiv, Radd – they have given me good support – they’re always here.
“Mentally and physically – I’m not talking about too much with my family as I’m in my room, alone. I don’t like to talk too much. I’m just sitting on my bed and thinking. I lost my brother, 35 years old – every day I’m struggling.”
One of Mr Ramesh’s advisers, Mr Patel, expressed his disappointment to PA over Air India’s handling of the crash victims, stating that the airline was “failing” to uphold its promise to treat them as “family”. He shared: “On the day of the accident, after the initial shock, I felt sick to my stomach, the thought of the trauma unfolding in so many families.
“Since then, I’ve done what I can to help whoever reached out. Air India promised to treat them as family, but four months on, I can tell you, they are failing.”
Mr Patel went on to say: “The families have been dignified in their grief, but they’ve been treated like a name on a spreadsheet, where’s the personal care? People have been patient, but four months on and the frustration is growing.
“I’d like to believe that Air India’s executives meant what they promised, unstinting support for the victims of this devastating tragedy, and perhaps they are unaware of the way they are failing in carrying it out. Having ignored repeated written requests, this is a public appeal, on behalf of Vishwash and the family and the wider community, an appeal to CEO Campbell Wilson to come and meet with us so he can hear directly about the challenges and failings and be given a chance to put things right.”
Another adviser and spokesman, Mr Seiger, told PA: “Having advised corporations like Air India myself in the past in a previous life, you have one chance to do the right thing after disasters like this. We are sitting next to the sole survivor of this major airline crash, and as far as I can make out, he is being treated like a number on a spreadsheet.
“Not only has his life been turned upside down, but his entire family’s life has been turned upside down and the CEO of Air India said after the crash he promised full and unstinting support for victims. What you can’t forgive is when the people responsible for that crash don’t step forward and do the right thing – that we can’t forgive.”
In response to the allegations made by Mr Ramesh’s advisers, Air India stated: “We are deeply conscious of our responsibility to provide Mr Ramesh with support through what must have been an unimaginable period. Care for him – and indeed all families affected by the tragedy – remains our absolute priority.
“Senior leaders from across Tata Group continue to visit families to express their deepest condolences. An offer has been made to Mr Ramesh’s representatives to arrange such a meeting, we will continue to reach out and we very much hope to receive a positive response.
“We are keenly aware this continues to be an incredibly difficult time for all affected and continue to offer the support, compassion, and care we can in the circumstances.”
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