SURVIVOR’S HELL 

God gave me life but he took my happiness, says sole Air India crash survivor as he reveals his trauma five months on

Vishwash’s representatives have criticised the airline for failing to support him and other victims’ families

THE sole survivor of the Air India plane crash says he is still traumatised nearly five months on.

Vishwash Ramesh, 40, managed to crawl out of the wreckage when the Boeing 787 Dreamliner plunged to the ground moments after take-off on June 12 this year.


Vishwash Ramesh says he is still traumatised nearly five months on from the Air India plane crashCredit: PA
 

A man with facial injuries lies in a hospital bed.
Vishwash – sitting in seat 11A – was the sole survivor of the crashCredit: HT Photo
 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the sole survivor of the Air India Flight 171 crash in the hospital.
The crash killed 260 people in JuneCredit: Reuters
 

A large explosion with bright orange flames and dark smoke billows into the sky above a building.
Air India Flight AI171 crashed in Ahmedabad and blazed up into a huge fireballCredit: x/nchorAnandN
Among the 260 people who died was his brother Ajay, 35.

Vishwash was sitting in seat 11A when the flight crashed into a medical college in Ahmedabad.

The businessman, of Leicester, revealed he was still too traumatised to sleep.

He said: “I lost everything. God gave me life but took all my happiness from my family.

THE sole survivor of the Air India plane crash says he is still traumatised nearly five months on.

Vishwash Ramesh, 40, managed to crawl out of the wreckage when the Boeing 787 Dreamliner plunged to the ground moments after take-off on June 12 this year.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, sole survivor of the Air India crash, posing for a photo outdoors.
Vishwash Ramesh says he is still traumatised nearly five months on from the Air India plane crashCredit: PA
 

A man with facial injuries lies in a hospital bed.
Vishwash – sitting in seat 11A – was the sole survivor of the crashCredit: HT Photo
 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the sole survivor of the Air India Flight 171 crash in the hospital.
The crash killed 260 people in JuneCredit: Reuters
 

A large explosion with bright orange flames and dark smoke billows into the sky above a building.
Air India Flight AI171 crashed in Ahmedabad and blazed up into a huge fireballCredit: x/nchorAnandN
Among the 260 people who died was his brother Ajay, 35.

Vishwash was sitting in seat 11A when the flight crashed into a medical college in Ahmedabad.

The businessman, of Leicester, revealed he was still too traumatised to sleep.

He said: “I lost everything. God gave me life but took all my happiness from my family.

“I get flashbacks all the time. I stay awake. I sleep maybe three to four hours.

“It’s a miracle I survived but I lost everything. I lost my brother. I’m broken.

“My brother was my strength. My mother, father and my younger brother totally broke down — like mentally.

“I just sit on my bed and think. Every day I’m struggling.”

The flight lost power in both engines 33 seconds after take-off.

An interim investigation report suggested the engine fuel switches were deliberately turned off, raising the prospect of suicide by one of the two pilots. A full report is still to be published.

Vishwash’s representatives have criticised the airline for failing to support him and other victims’ families — including those of the 52 Britons who died in the crash.

Adviser Sanjiv Patel said: “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.

Nayan Ramesh, younger brother of Air India tragedy survivor Kumar Ramesh, talking to the press.
Among the 260 people who died in the crash was Vishwash’s brother AjayCredit: Times Media Ltd
 

Illustration of plane crash near Ahmedabad Airport, showing flight path and altitude.
Credit: Getty
“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.”

Air India said: “We are deeply conscious of our responsibility to provide Mr Ramesh with support at this time.

“Care for him — and all families affected by the tragedy — remains our absolute priority.

“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.”