Lone Survivor Recounts Miraculous Escape from Air India Crash/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, seated in 11A, is the only survivor of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad. He described the plane stalling, crashing into a building, and leaping out through a broken door amid flames and debris. Burned and stunned, he walked to safety, was hospitalized, and met Prime Minister Modi—while authorities recover black boxes.
Sole Survivor’s Escape from Air India Crash: Quick Looks
- Seat 11A miracle: Ramesh was next to an emergency exit and squeezed out after impact.
- Plane behavior: He saw green-white warning lights before stalling and crashing.
- Desperate survival: Burn injuries notwithstanding, he walked away, assisted by locals.
- Personal aftermath: His brother is missing; PM Modi visited him in hospital; he’s stable.
Lone Survivor Recounts Miraculous Escape from Air India Crash
Deep Look
Horror Minutes After Takeoff
British national of Indian origin Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, boarded Air India Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London. Moments after takeoff, he sensed something was wrong—“the aircraft seemed stuck midair” and green-white lights flashed. Seconds later, the Boeing 787 slammed into a doctors’ hostel adjacent to the runway.
Escape from Wreckage
Ramesh’s account: his section landed on the ground floor of the building. He found space when the emergency door ruptured, unfastened his seatbelt, and crawled out.
“When I opened my eyes, I realized I was alive,” he recalled. He then limped away through flames and debris—covered in blood and soot.
Injuries & Immediate Aftermath
Ramesh suffered burns on his left hand and multiple injuries, but doctors at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital say he is out of danger. From his hospital bed, he described disorientation yet relief at survival. He also made a video call to his father, expressing bewilderment at being alive and his inability to find his brother.
High-Profile Visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site Friday and met Ramesh at the hospital. “I told Modi what all I had witnessed,” Ramesh shared. Health officials confirmed he remains stable though disoriented.
Investigation & Broader Impact
Rescue teams recovered at least one black box and are combing the crash site with sniffer dogs and cranes to collect remains and debris. This tragedy marks the deadliest Air India crash in decades and the first fatal incident involving a Boeing 787 since its introduction in 2009. Authorities have confirmed 241 fatalities onboard and additional deaths on the ground, with about 269 bodies brought to the Civil Hospital.
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