Amidst the devastating aftermath of the Air India Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, one survivor has emerged, a beacon of hope amidst unimaginable tragedy. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national, is being hailed as "The Man Who Lived," after miraculously surviving the crash that claimed the lives of 241 others.
The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, plummeting into a residential area near the B.J. Medical College hostel. The impact was catastrophic, with the plane bursting into flames and leaving a trail of destruction. Among the deceased were former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, the pilots, and the entire cabin crew, along with medical students and residents in the vicinity.
From his hospital bed, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh recounted the terrifying moments leading up to the crash. Speaking to DD News, he described how, shortly after takeoff, the plane felt like it was at a "standstill" in the air. "Suddenly, within 5-10 seconds, it felt like the plane was stuck," he recalled. He remembers seeing the cabin lights flicker green and white before the aircraft hurtled into what he later learned was the medical college hostel.
"Everything happened in front of my eyes," Vishwash said, struggling to comprehend his survival. "I still cannot believe how I made it out alive." He described the scene after the crash as one of utter devastation. When he opened his eyes, he was surrounded by death and wreckage. Despite the chaos and his own injuries, Vishwash's presence of mind kicked in. He was seated in seat 11A, near an emergency exit.
"For a moment, I thought I was going to die," he confessed. "But when I opened my eyes, I realized I was alive." He unbuckled his seatbelt and tried to find a way out. Fortunately, the side of the plane near his seat had broken open, offering a narrow escape route. "The side where I was, it hadn't crashed directly into the building, so there was some space," he explained. "I tried to get out, and I managed to."
Crawling out of the wreckage, Vishwash found himself amidst the chaos of the crash site. "Air hostesses, other passengers, everyone was gone... it all happened in front of my eyes," he recounted, his voice filled with emotion. Despite sustaining burns to his left hand, he managed to move away from the burning wreckage before being rescued and taken to a local hospital.
News of Vishwash's survival has spread rapidly, bringing a glimmer of hope to a nation mourning the tragic loss of life. While investigations are underway to determine the cause of the crash, his miraculous escape has become a focal point of media coverage.
The Tata Group, which owns Air India, has announced a compensation of ₹1 crore for the families of each of the deceased. Support centers have been set up at various airports to assist the families of the victims. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with assistance from American and British investigation teams, has launched a full-scale investigation, recovering the black box from the crash site to analyze flight data and hopefully determine the cause of the crash.
Vishwash Kumar Ramesh remains in the hospital, receiving treatment for his injuries. His story is one of incredible resilience and a testament to the human will to survive against all odds. As he recovers, the world looks to him as a symbol of hope amidst the sorrow and devastation caused by the Ahmedabad plane crash. "The Man Who Lived" is a stark reminder of the preciousness of life and the enduring strength of the human spirit.
