In a tragic air disaster that claimed over 290 lives, Ramesh Viswashkumar stands as the only known survivor among the 242 passengers onboard the ill-fated Air India flight that crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. The 40-year-old British national narrowly escaped death by jumping out of the plane near an emergency exit, a courageous move that saved his life.
Viswashkumar, who was traveling to London with his brother after visiting family in India, recounted the terrifying moments from his hospital bed. “When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran,” he told the Hindustan Times. He described the chaos surrounding him, with debris scattered everywhere, before being helped to safety and transported to the hospital.
Footage circulating on Indian news channels shows a man with visible injuries being aided by medical personnel, matching Viswashkumar’s appearance and confirming his survival. Police officials confirmed that he was seated in seat 11A, close to the emergency exit, which allowed him to make a daring escape by jumping out of the plane after the crash.
While Viswashkumar remains the only confirmed passenger survivor so far, authorities continue to search for other potential survivors among the injured. Rescue teams are still active at the crash site, which landed in a residential area near a medical college hostel during lunch hour, intensifying the tragedy.
The Air India crash stands as the deadliest aviation disaster in a decade, with devastating losses on board and on the ground. Viswashkumar’s family in Britain has expressed relief at hearing from him, though they are still seeking news about his brother, who was seated separately.
As investigations continue, Viswashkumar’s survival story provides a rare glimpse of hope amid the overwhelming tragedy of this catastrophic accident.
