In a stunning turn of events following the Air India crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday, police have confirmed that the sole survivor, Ramesh Viswashkumar, managed to escape the wreckage by jumping out of an emergency exit. The Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff, claiming the lives of 241 of the 242 people on board. The crash site, located in a residential area near the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, became a scene of chaos and devastation, with emergency services rushing to respond.
Ramesh Viswashkumar, a 40-year-old British national, was seated in seat 11A, near an emergency exit. According to police reports, he seized the opportunity amidst the post-impact chaos to jump from the aircraft. Speaking from his hospital bed, Viswashkumar recounted the horrific scene inside the plane, describing bodies all around him and his desperate attempt to escape. "When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me," he told the Hindustan Times. He also mentioned being helped by someone who put him in an ambulance.
Conflicting reports initially circulated regarding Viswashkumar's condition, but it has been confirmed that while he sustained multiple injuries, he is out of danger. Dr. Dhaval Gameti from Ahmedabad's Civil Hospital, where Viswashkumar is receiving treatment, noted that the survivor was disoriented upon arrival but is now stable.
While Viswashkumar survived, his brother, Ajay, who was also on the flight, remains missing. Viswashkumar has pleaded for assistance in locating his brother, highlighting the personal tragedies interwoven with the broader disaster. "He doesn't know how he escaped. I don't think he remembers what happened," Nayan Kumar Ramesh, Vishwashkumar's brother, told the BBC.
The Air India crash has sent shockwaves through the aviation industry and prompted swift responses from international entities. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that the British government is actively involved in the investigation, dispatching a team to assist Indian authorities. Boeing has also pledged its full support, with a specialized team prepared to aid the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in determining the cause of the crash. Air New Zealand has offered support to Air India, with Chief Executive Greg Foran expressing condolences and acknowledging the widespread impact of the tragedy on the airline sector.
The crash has also resulted in significant disruptions at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, with numerous flights delayed or canceled in the immediate aftermath. Airport operations have since been restored, but the airport community continues to grapple with the emotional toll of the disaster.
As investigations continue, the focus remains on identifying the victims, supporting their families, and determining the cause of the crash to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The miraculous survival of Ramesh Viswashkumar offers a glimmer of hope amidst the devastation, even as the world mourns the loss of so many lives.
