Air India Plane Crash Survivor: “I Don’t Know How I Got Saved” — The Story of the Lone Passenger Who Made It Out Alive

Published: June 13, 2025

🛬 A Miracle Amid Disaster

As rescue crews sifted through the debris of the devastating Air India Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad, a single voice emerged — a survivor’s voice, filled with disbelief, grief, and gratitude.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 34-year-old British national of Indian origin, was the only passenger confirmed to have made it out alive after the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner went down in Meghani Nagar, minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad International Airport on June 12.

Now recovering in a hospital under intensive care, his first words to authorities and media reflect the emotional weight of what he has endured:

“I don’t know how I got saved. I’m just… still trying to understand how I’m here.”

✈️ The Flight That Changed Everything

Flight AI171 was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick. It departed at 13:38 local time, and lost contact with air traffic control shortly afterward. Within six minutes, the aircraft crashed into a building in Meghani Nagar — triggering a fire, widespread destruction, and an immediate national emergency.

Emergency responders were expecting the worst. But during the recovery process, a faint movement was detected amidst the wreckage. Under a collapsed section of the aircraft fuselage, rescue teams found Ramesh — conscious but injured.

He had been seated in row 8A, near a section of the cabin that absorbed less of the impact. A twisted combination of structural angles and padding spared him the brunt of the forces involved.

“He was in shock. He kept asking about the others,” said one paramedic who helped pull him out.

🏥 A Long Road to Recovery

Ramesh is currently being treated at Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, where doctors have confirmed he sustained fractures, bruising, and minor burns, but no life-threatening internal injuries.

Hospital Director Dr. Manjit Nair spoke to reporters:

“We are closely monitoring him. His physical injuries are manageable. Psychologically, however, he is understandably overwhelmed.”

A special medical and psychological care team has been assigned to him. Authorities have also arranged for counselors and members of the British High Commission to assist with his needs.

🇬🇧 A Journey Interrupted

Ramesh, who works in finance in Manchester, UK, was returning to London after visiting relatives in Surat, Gujarat. According to airline records, he had been scheduled to fly a day earlier but postponed his travel due to personal commitments.

His family in the UK was initially unaware that he was onboard until they received a call from Indian authorities confirming his condition. They are expected to arrive in Ahmedabad within 24 hours.

“We thought we lost him. When the call came saying he was alive… we just cried,” said his cousin, Meena Patel, in a statement to BBC News.

🧩 What We Know About the Crash

The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation. Officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Air India, Boeing, and international aviation safety boards are now analyzing black box data and cockpit voice recordings recovered from the crash site.

Initial data shows the plane had reached an altitude of just 625 feet before its trajectory shifted. A brief distress signal was sent seconds before impact, indicating possible technical malfunction.

Flight AI171 had a diverse manifest:

169 Indian nationals
53 British nationals
7 Portuguese citizens
1 Canadian citizen

In addition to onboard casualties, dozens of residents in Meghani Nagar were also affected, as the aircraft impacted a residential structure housing medical students.

🙏 Ramesh’s Words: “Why Me?”

In brief conversations with hospital staff and his assigned counselor, Ramesh has repeatedly expressed emotional distress over being the sole survivor.

“He said, ‘Why did I survive? Why me?’. Survivor’s guilt is very real,” shared his trauma psychologist, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Authorities have reassured him that his testimony may provide crucial information to help understand what happened — and possibly prevent similar tragedies in the future.

🧠 The Psychology of Survival

Experts say surviving a large-scale accident, particularly as the only known survivor, can trigger complex emotional and psychological responses.

“There’s trauma, shock, guilt, and disorientation,” said Dr. Karuna Desai, a clinical psychologist based in Delhi.
“But there is also potential for healing — especially when the survivor chooses to find purpose in the aftermath.”

🕯️ Nation in Mourning, the World in Support

India observed a national day of mourning on June 13. Flags were flown at half-mast, and prayer vigils were held in cities across the country. Global leaders have offered support and condolences to India and the families impacted.

Tata Group, which owns Air India, has pledged full support to affected families and has also offered to cover long-term recovery costs for Ramesh.

The British High Commission in India has also stepped in to provide consular support and coordinate with medical teams.

🚨 Security and Aviation Updates

Air India has temporarily grounded all aircraft of the same model pending further inspections. Additionally, airport operations and departure protocols are under review at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has confirmed that Flight AI171 met all pre-flight technical checks and that the flight crew had over 20,000 hours of combined experience.

“This was not a routine malfunction. We are treating this with the highest urgency,” said Civil Aviation Secretary Anil Khatri.

📹 Video and Eyewitness Accounts

Footage of the aircraft’s final moments — taken from CCTV cameras in the Meghani Nagar area — shows the plane descending rapidly before impact. A large explosion followed, with black smoke rising for kilometers.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud sound followed by a shockwave. “It felt like the sky cracked,” said a shopkeeper nearby.

📹 Watch: Moment Air India Flight AI171 Descends Over Residential Zone (The Economic Times)

📜 Moving Forward: His Story Is Just Beginning

For Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, life will now be divided into a before and after. As the lone passenger who walked away from one of India’s most serious aviation incidents in recent memory, his experience will remain central to the investigation and national memory.

His recovery is being closely followed by both Indian and international media. He has requested privacy at this time.

“We are grateful he is safe. That he is here is no less than a miracle,” said a spokesperson for his family.

🔗 Related Stories:

📄 Full Coverage: Air India Flight AI171 Incident Timeline
🧍 Passenger Misses Flight Due to Traffic, Avoids Tragedy
📁 Boeing 787 Dreamliner: Aircraft Profile and Safety History
🕯️ In Memoriam: Remembering the Passengers of Flight AI171
🛡️ How India Plans to Strengthen Aviation Safety After AI171

This story is part of News18’s continuing coverage of the Air India AI171 incident. For real-time updates, verified sources, and survivor support information