The lone survivor of the Air India plane crash that claimed 241 lives has described his survival as both a miracle and a burden, saying he feels “the luckiest man in the world” but continues to suffer physically and emotionally.
Viswashkumar Ramesh, who miraculously escaped the wreckage of the London-bound Boeing 787 that crashed in Ahmedabad, India, in June, lost his younger brother, Ajay, who was sitting a few rows away. Since returning home to Leicester, Ramesh has battled post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and severe depression.
Speaking to BBC News, the 39-year-old said: “I’m the only survivor. Still, I can’t believe it. It’s a miracle. I lost my brother, he was my backbone. He always supported me.”
Ramesh revealed that since the tragedy, his life has been overshadowed by grief. “Now I sit alone in my room, without talking to my wife or my son. Every day is painful for my entire family,” he said through tears.
The crash, which occurred shortly after takeoff, engulfed the plane in flames, killing all passengers and crew on board, along with 19 people on the ground. According to India’s Aviation Accident Investigation Bureau, preliminary results showed that the fuel supply to the engines was cut off moments after takeoff.
Ramesh, who was sitting at number 11A, near the emergency exit, managed to unbuckle his seat belt and crawl out of the rubble before being rescued. He suffered serious injuries to his leg, shoulder, knee and back, preventing him from working or driving.
Community leader Sanjiv Patel, who has been supporting Ramesh and his family, said the survivor has been left “mentally, physically and financially devastated”. Ramesh’s family fishing business in Diu, India, which he ran with his late brother, has since collapsed.
His advisers accused Air India of negligence and said the airline had not adequately supported Ramesh and other grieving families. Although Air India offered interim compensation of £21,500, its representatives argue it falls far short of its immediate needs.
Spokesman Radd Seiger called on Air India executives to “meet the families of the victims and put things right,” saying: “It’s appalling that we have to sit here and put him through this. Those responsible should be sitting here, not him.”
Responding to the allegations, Tata Group-owned Air India said it remains committed to supporting all affected families and has contacted Ramesh’s representatives to arrange a meeting.
For now, Ramesh continues to live with the trauma of surviving a tragedy that took everything from him. “I think about it every day,” he said quietly. “I’m suffering, mentally and physically.”
bbc
READ ALSO TOP STORIES OF Newslodge