Vishwash Kumar, Lone Survivor Recounts Miracle Escape From Crash, 'There Was Space Only Where I Was'

In something that can only be described as a miracle, 39-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh emerged as the lone survivor from the horrifying Air India Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad, claiming over 240 lives. His miraculous escape from the deadly crash has stunned the entire nation and offered a rare sliver of hope amid one of the deadliest air disasters India has witnessed in a decade. The lucky passenger from seat 11A now shares his account of the tragedy.

Miracle survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, shares his account of the ill-fated crash

Vishwash, a British citizen of Indian origin, was seated in 11A, right next to the emergency exit of the ill-fated Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick. Within seconds of taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, the aircraft plunged into the hostel building of BJ Medical College, immediately breaking into a fire. Air India confirmed that 241 people, including 12 crew members, perished in the tragedy. On board were 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian. Among the ill-fated passengers was former Gujarat Chief Minister, Vijay Rupani.

So, how did Ramesh survive such an ill-fated disaster? Miraculously, the section of the plane carrying his seat, 11A, broke apart and flung him away clear of the wreckage. With the aircraft split into pieces and fire erupting everywhere, he found a narrow escape route amidst the destruction. Vishwash told Doordarshan:

"The side where I was sitting wasn't on the hostel side, it was the ground floor of the hostel. I don't know about others, but the place I was sitting, that portion landed on the ground floor, and there was some space. As soon as my door broke, I saw that there was some space, and then I tried to get out, and I got out. There was a building wall on the opposite side, and the plane had crashed completely on that side, so probably that is why nobody could get out from that side. There was space only where I was. I don't know how I survived. When the fire broke out, my left hand also got burned. Then I was admitted to the hospital."

While initial reports stated that Vishwash jumped from the emergency exit, police and doctors now confirm that he was thrown clear of the aircraft while still strapped to his seat. When he was brought to the ambulance, he was injured and covered in blood, and looked disoriented as he frantically looked for his brother, Ajay, who was also on the plane. 

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh recounts moments before the disaster

Recalling the condition within the flight from the moment it took off to the crash, Vishawah shared with DD how everything seemed to have stood still. He recalled the plane’s green and white lights turning on, and its speed was increased for takeoff. And before he knew it, the plane crashed into the hostel building. Hindustan Times quoted Vishwash’s account:

“Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly… When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.”

Who is Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the only survivor of the AI171 crash?

British citizen, Vishwash, had been visiting India with his brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh, and was on his way back to London, where he lives with his wife and child. While we now know of Vishwash’s seat number, his brother was seated in a different part of the aircraft. Videos from the scene captured a bloodied and deranged Vishwash frantically shouting, “Plane fatyo che! Plane fatyo che!” (The plane has crashed!) as medics pulled him towards an ambulance. 

Vishwash is now admitted to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where PM Narendra Modi visited him on June 13, 2025. Doctors have confirmed that he is injured but stable for now. What are your thoughts on his miraculous survival?

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