Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of the Air India Flight 171 crash that occurred on June 12, 2025, near Ahmedabad, India, speaks of mixed emotions. While acknowledging he feels like the "luckiest man" alive, he is battling severe trauma and grief following the disaster that claimed 241 lives. The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff, killing 169 Indian nationals, 52 British passengers, and 19 people on the ground.
Ramesh, 39, a British citizen of Indian heritage, was returning to the UK after visiting family in India when the crash occurred. He miraculously survived, escaping through a gap in the fuselage near his seat 11A. However, his younger brother, Ajay, who he described as his "backbone," was among those who perished. "I lost my brother as well," Ramesh told the BBC. "My brother is my backbone. Last few years, he was always supporting me".
In an interview with British media, Ramesh described the horrifying experience, "Everything happened in front of my eyes". He recounted how the plane felt like it "came to stand-still for 5 to 10 seconds" after takeoff. He remembers seeing the air hostess and other passengers die. Despite sustaining burn injuries and other physical trauma, Ramesh managed to walk away from the wreckage, a scene captured in shocking footage that circulated worldwide.
Since returning to his home in Leicester, England, Ramesh has been grappling with severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He experiences frequent flashbacks and struggles with sleep deprivation, managing only three to four hours of sleep a night. "I just stay awake," he said, adding that he finds it impossible to recall the crashing moment. He is also dealing with physical pain in his leg, shoulder, knee, and back as a result of the crash. "When I walk, not walk properly, slowly, slowly, my wife help," Ramesh shared.
Ramesh revealed that he feels isolated and has difficulty engaging with his family. "Now I'm alone. I just sit in my room alone, not talking with my wife, my son. I just like to be alone in my house," he told the BBC. His mother has also been deeply affected, isolating herself outside his door. He has been unable to work or drive since the incident.
Adding to the family's distress, their fishing business in Diu, India, has collapsed since the accident, leaving them in severe financial hardship. While Air India has offered interim compensation, Ramesh's representatives argue it is insufficient to cover his daily needs and ongoing medical care. They are urging Air India CEO Campbell Wilson to meet with the family and provide a comprehensive welfare package.
Air India stated that it remains "deeply conscious" of its responsibility towards Ramesh and has extended interim financial and logistical support. The airline claims that care for him and all families affected by the tragedy remains their absolute priority.
A preliminary investigation by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) indicated that fuel supply to the engines was cut off moments after takeoff. However, the report did not offer any firm conclusions or apportion blame for the disaster. The father of one of the pilots has requested an independent investigation, arguing the official probe unfairly blames the crew. In the meantime, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh continues to grapple with the physical and emotional scars of the tragedy, his journey to recovery a long and arduous one.
