MANILA, Philippines – In a tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of 241 people, one man survived against all odds.
Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, was the sole survivor of the Air India flight that went down shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad, western India. He had been seated in 11A, located in the emergency exit row near the plane’s left wing.
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| Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the lone survivor of Air India flight 171 plane crash. Photo courtesy: Hindustan Times |
“Thirty seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly,” Ramesh said in an interview from his hospital bed.
Doctors say he escaped without life-threatening injuries.
“He was disoriented with multiple injuries all over his body,” said Dr. Dhaval Gameti of the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. “But he seems to be out of danger.”
Ramesh had been in India visiting family and was returning to the UK with his brother, who had been seated in a different row and did not survive.
Indian media outlets have circulated a photo of Ramesh’s boarding pass showing his seat assignment.
A British member of parliament described his survival as “nothing short of miraculous.”
The crash occurred when Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:39 p.m. local time. It was bound for London’s Gatwick Airport and scheduled to arrive at 6:25 p.m. BST.
The plane crashed into a residential area that included the BJ Medical College and Hospital hostel. Casualties were reported both on board and on the ground.
At least 290 people are now feared dead, and the death toll may still rise.
The aircraft was carrying 242 people: 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Among them were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash.
— The Summit Express