A single survivor emerged from the wreck of Air India flight AI-171, telling his incredible survival story against all odds. In what can only be described as a miracle, 40-year-old Vishwashkumar Ramesh became the sole survivor of India’s most devastating aviation disaster. As he lies in his hospital bed at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, his story of survival continues to baffle experts and family members alike.
Overview Of The Tragedy
Flight Details Information:
- Flight Number: Air India AI-171
- Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
- Route: Ahmedabad to London Gatwick
- Date: Thursday afternoon
- Total Onboard: 242 passengers and crew
- Survivors: 1 (Vishwashkumar Ramesh)
- Casualties: 241 onboard + several on the ground
- Crash Location: BJ Medical College hostel, Meghaninagar
Thursday morning started like any other day for Vishwashkumar Ramesh and his brother, Ajay Kumar, among 15 passengers from Diu district boarding the London-bound flight. Their family friend, Ayub Mansuri, had driven them to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, unaware that this would be their final journey together.
Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British citizen of Indian origin, settled into seat 11A by the window. His brother Ajay Kumar took seat 11C, just across the aisle. Neither could have imagined that within an hour, things would become uncertain and only one would survive.
Vishwashkumar Ramesh’s Escape Story
The Boeing 787–8 Dreamliner began its takeoff normally as a usual flight, but something went wrong, almost immediately. Speaking exclusively to reporters from a hospital bed, Vishwashkumar Ramesh recalls the terrifying moment: “I fell. The aircraft wasn’t gaining altitude and was just gliding before it slammed into a building and exploded.”
Captain Sumit Sabharwal managed to issue a brief Mayday call to air traffic control, but time was running out. Within just 34 seconds of takeoff, the aircraft almost lost its altitude dramatically, and crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel, mess block, Meghani Nagar.
Vishwashkumar Ramesh said, “Everything happened in just a fraction of a time, I realised we were going down.”
How Vishwashkumar Ramesh Survived The Plane Crash?
What happened next? The massive Dreamliner broke apart on impact, with flame tracing through the midsection. Most passengers had no chance of survival, but fate had different plans for Vishwashkumar.
“At first, I thought I was dead. Later, I realised I was still alive and saw an opening in the fuselage near my seat. I managed to unbuckle myself. I used my leg to push through that opening and crawled out.”
The area where he was seated suffered less damage in the initial blast, creating what appears to have been the only possible exit route. Video footage from the crash site shows him tumbling out of the wreckage, bloodied and dazed, screaming in Gujarati, “Plane Fatyo Che.”
Where Was His Brother?
Despite his miraculous escape, Vishwashkumar’s survival came with unbearable loss. His brother Ajay Kumar, seated just across the aisle in seat 11C, was among the 241 confirmed dead. The proximity of their seats makes the tragedy even more heartbreaking.
“Everyone around me was either dead or dying. I still don’t understand how I escaped,” Kumar said, his words reflecting the survivor’s guilt that often follows such tragedies.
From his hospital bed in ward B7, he reportedly asks the same question to every official and relative who visits: Where is my brother? The reality of loss is slowly sinking in as he recovers from head injuries and burns.
Aftermath Of The Incident
Ayub Mansuri, the family friend who had driven the brothers to the airport, revealed that Vishwashkumar managed to make 3 brief calls after the crash before his phone died. He kept crying and asking for Ajay. He has head injuries, burns, but somehow walked out of that wreckage.
By 2:30 PM on Thursday, the security officials had sealed the hospital ward after identifying Vishwashkumar as the lone survivor. Gujarat, ATS, and Ahmedabad Crime Branch officers have since restricted access to ensure his safety and assist in the ongoing investigation.
Investigation Underway
Aviation experts are working to determine the exact cause of this tragedy. Early investigation suggests either a dual engine failure or a bird strike shortly after takeoff. The quick Mayday call from Captain Sabharwal indicates the crew was aware of a serious problem, but the rapid sequence of events left little time for emergency procedures.
A Story Of Survival Against All Odds
Vishwashkumar Ramesh’s survival story serves as a reminder of how unpredictable life can be. His own words: “ I don’t know how I survived.” His escape through a gap in the fuselage, while 241 others perished around him, is likely to be studied by aviation safety experts for years to come.
As he continues his recovery, which not only carries just physical scars but also an emotional burden on his heart, his story is one of miraculous survival in this devastating incident.
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