Sole survivor struggles after air crash miracle to seek out happiness and even discuss to his household
British citizen Vishwash Kumar Ramesh said he is still to trauamatised to speak about the Air India crash he was on that killed hundreds of people almost five months ago
The sole survivor of a plane crash that killed 241 people called his escape a “miracle”, though he said losing his brother has “taken all my happiness”. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 39, said he still suffers “flashbacks” from the Air India disaster almost four months on.
He said talking about the crash remains “very painful”, with his advisers confirming he has not yet discussed what occurred with his close family.
And Vishwash, who lives in Leicester, said the tragic death of his sibling Ajay, who was on the same London-bound flight from Ahmedabad airport, means his heartbroken family has “lost everything”.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed into a medical college shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad Airport on 12 June, leaving Vishwash as the only survivor from those aboard, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The disaster claimed the lives of 169 Indian passengers and 52 British nationals, making it one of the deadliest air tragedies in terms of British fatalities. Beyond the 221 people on flight AI171, another 19 people died and 67 suffered severe injuries.
Advisers to Vishwash, Sanjiv Patel and Radd Seiger, have criticised the support he has received in the wake of the disaster, claiming he has been treated like a “name on a spreadsheet”.
The family has called on Air India’s chief executive Campbell Wilson to personally meet with them to discuss Vishwash’s situation – alleging that he has “ignored repeated written requests”.
In response, Air India stated that senior leaders from its parent company, Tata Group, have offered to meet with the family, emphasising that supporting the families of those affected by the crash, including Vishwash, “remains our absolute priority”.
It is understood that an interim payment has been accepted and transferred to Vishwash.
A preliminary report from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau revealed that both of the aircraft’s fuel switches were moved to the “cut-off” position “immediately” after take-off, cutting off the fuel supply to the engine.
These findings have sparked questions about whether the crash was intentional.
Vishwash said the incident, and the loss of his brother, has “completely brought down my family”. He said: “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.”
Vishwash admitted that recalling the crash was too traumatic to discuss, and he couldn’t bring himself to recount his first memory after the incident.
In a statement prepared with the assistance of his advisers following the interview, he revealed that he was “broken” and plagued by sleepless nights due to constant “flashbacks”.
He said: “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.
“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, Vishwash expressed gratitude for the support of his extended family, but disclosed that his mother, father and younger brother “totally broke down” after the crash.
He said: “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 honour of Ajay, who often sported a similar cap, including on the flight. He added: “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 Vishwash advisers, Mr Patel, has levelled accusations at Air India for “failing” to honour its pledge to treat the crash victims as “family”.
He said: “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 spokesperson, 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 Vishwash advisers, Air India issued a statement saying: “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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