Viswash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national, has been identified as the lone survivor of the devastating Air India crash that occurred in Ahmedabad on Thursday. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people, crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the confirmed deaths of 241 passengers and crew members, as well as several people on the ground.

Ramesh, who was seated in 11A, miraculously escaped the fiery wreckage and was found by police at the scene. He was promptly transported to Ahmedabad's Civil Hospital, where Dr. Dhaval Gameti examined him. According to Dr. Gameti, Ramesh was "disoriented with multiple injuries all over his body" but was thankfully "out of danger." Reports indicate that he suffered impact injuries to his chest, face, and feet.

In an interview from his hospital bed, Ramesh recounted the harrowing experience, stating that the aircraft "seemed to become stuck immediately after takeoff." He recalled seeing green and white lights illuminate the cabin, followed by the plane accelerating but failing to gain altitude before crashing. He added, "For some time I thought I was also going to die. But when I opened my eyes, I realized I was alive. It was in front of my eyes that the air hostess and others (died)."

Ramesh's cousin, Ajay Valgi, shared that Ramesh had been traveling with his brother, whose whereabouts remain unknown. After the crash, Ramesh contacted his family in Leicester and told them about the incident. He also recounted how the side of the plane where he was seated had fallen onto the ground floor of a building, creating an opening for him to escape. He unfastened his seatbelt and managed to pull himself out of the wreckage.

The news of Ramesh's survival has been met with widespread astonishment and relief. British media outlets have dubbed it the "miracle of seat 11A," highlighting the sheer improbability of surviving such a catastrophic event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ramesh in the hospital, inquiring about his health and listening to his account of the crash.

Indian investigators have recovered the digital flight data recorder, also known as the black box, from the crash site. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has commenced its investigation with "full force," hoping that the data will provide crucial insights into the cause of the crash. The investigation is still in its early stages, and the cause of the crash has not yet been determined. However, weather conditions were reportedly clear at the time of the incident, with light winds and good visibility.

The Air India crash is one of the worst aviation disasters in India's history and the first crash involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner since the model went into service in 2009. The incident has prompted India's civil aviation regulator to order Air India to conduct additional maintenance and safety inspections on its Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliners equipped with General Electric's GEnx engines.