By Tony O’Reilly-
Viswashkumar Ramesh embodies a stunning contradiction: he is both the world’s Air India Crash Sole Survivor and a man drowning in profound, unrelenting suffering. Mr. Ramesh miraculously walked away from the flaming wreckage of the London-bound flight in Ahmedabad in extraordinary scenes that stunned global observers.
Sanjiv Patel said he was supporting, advising and protecting the family. Pic: BBC
The disaster tragically claimed the lives of 241 people on board, including his younger brother, Ajay, who was sitting just a few seats away. Mr. Ramesh recently returned to his home in Leicester, where he now struggles desperately with the immense physical and mental toll of the June tragedy.
AD: Capeesh Restaurant
This is the first time the 39-year-old has spoken publicly to the media since his return, revealing the devastating impact this unwanted survival has had on his entire family structure.
The emotional Mr. Ramesh, whose native language is Gujarati, described his escape as an unbelievable “miracle” during an interview with BBC News. He admitted he still struggles to process the reality of his survival, saying: “I’m only one survivor. Still, I’m not believing. It’s a miracle.” The cost of that miracle remains impossibly high for the Air India Crash Sole Survivor and his family. He deeply mourns the loss of his younger brother, Ajay, whom he described as his “backbone.”
Mr. Ramesh explained, “I lost my brother as well. My brother is my backbone. Last few years, he was always supporting me.” Since the crash, his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis has left him unable to communicate effectively with his four-year-old son and wife. He now finds himself retreating into painful isolation. “Now I’m alone. I just sit in my room alone, not talking with my wife, my son,” Mr. Ramesh sadly admitted. “I just like to be alone in my house.”
AD: Oysterian Sea Food Restaurant And Bar
Flames quickly engulfed the Boeing 787 flight shortly after it went down following take-off in western India, leading to catastrophic loss of life. Shocking video footage shared widely at the time showed Mr. Ramesh walking away from the immediate aftermath with apparently superficial injuries as thick smoke billowed violently in the background.
The visual deception of his quick exit belied the deeper trauma he now endures. He vividly described the terrifying moment he managed to unbuckle himself and crawl out of an opening in the fuselage, having been seated in seat 11A. During his initial hospital treatment in India, he even met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Of the total passengers and crew killed, 169 were Indian nationals, and 52 were Britons; an additional 19 people died on the ground.
Mr. Ramesh revealed the immense physical and emotional trauma he is now enduring during his first UK media appearance. Flanked by his local community leader, Sanjiv Patel, and family spokesman, Radd Seiger, he found it too painful to recall the specific events of the disaster. He suffered severe pain in his leg, shoulder, knee, and back after escaping the wreckage through an emergency exit, which is indicated on the seating diagram.
The Air India Crash Sole Survivor has been unable to work or drive since the tragedy, relying entirely on his wife for support. “When I walk, not walk properly, slowly, slowly, my wife help,” he added. He currently spends his nights wrestling with painful memories and broken sleep. “I’m thinking all night, I’m suffering mentally,” Mr. Ramesh tearfully explained. “Every day is painful for the whole family.” The emotional devastation extends to his elderly mother, who has been silently sitting outside their door for months.
The preliminary report into the crash, published by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau in July, suggested fuel supply to the engines was tragically cut off just seconds after the plane lifted off.
Mr. Ramesh’s advisors stated he has not received any specialized medical treatment since returning home, despite his diagnosis of PTSD in the Indian hospital. Mr. Patel described the Air India Crash Sole Survivor as being lost and broken, clearly facing a long and arduous journey toward recovery. They are now actively demanding an immediate meeting with Air India’s senior executives, claiming the airline has treated him poorly following the crash.
Sanjiv Patel emphasized the crisis facing the family, stating: “They’re in crisis, mentally, physically, financially.” The tragedy devastated the entire family, and Patel argued that whoever is responsible at the highest level should be on the ground meeting the victims of this tragic event. The airline needs to understand the victims’ needs and allow them to be heard properly. The family’s fishing business in Diu, India, which Mr. Ramesh had run successfully with his late brother, has tragically collapsed since the accident, wiping out their financial stability.
Air India did offer an interim compensation payment of £21,500 to Mr. Ramesh, which his representatives reluctantly accepted. However, his advisors contend this sum is entirely insufficient to meet the family’s extensive immediate and long-term medical needs. Mr. Seiger, the family spokesman, shared his profound disappointment, revealing they had invited Air India for a crucial meeting on three separate occasions. All three invitations were either “ignored or turned down,” he claimed.
The media interviews represent the team’s public appeal, a fourth attempt to engage the airline, forcing their hand. “It’s appalling that we are having to sit here today and putting him through this,” Mr. Seiger stated, directing his plea to the company.
The executives of Air India, the people responsible for trying to put things right, should be the ones sitting here today, he continued. “Please come and sit down with us so that we can work through this together to try and alleviate some of this suffering.” Air India, owned by Tata Group, released a statement claiming senior leaders continue to visit affected families to express their deepest condolences.
The airline told the BBC an offer was made to Mr. Ramesh’s representatives to arrange a meeting even before the media interviews. Despite this, the fight continues for the Air India Crash Sole Survivor to receive the comprehensive and dignified support he urgently requires.
AD: Heritage And Restaurant Lounge Bar
