British Air India plane crash survivor describes how the jet split in two and he was 'ejected' before it exploded - as he is visited by Indian PM
The sole survivor of the deadly Air India plane crash disaster was saved after he was 'ejected'from the jet before it hit the ground and exploded into a huge fireball.
Briton Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, miraculously survived the plane disaster, which killed all but one 242 passengers and crew on-board in in the northwestern Indian city of Ahmedabad.
Mr Ramesh, who lives in London with his wife and child, is being treated at a local hospital, where he told doctors that immediately after the plane took off, it began descending and suddenly split in two, ejecting him before there was a loud explosion.
Dr. Dhaval Gameti, who also examined Mr Ramesh, told the Associated Press that he was disoriented with multiple injuries all over his body' but that he 'seems to be out of danger.'
Astonishing footage taken near the crash site yesterday showed Mr Ramesh with visible injuries hobbling away from the jet before he was rushed to hospital for treatment.
Speaking to local media from his hospital bed, Mr Ramesh said that his brother had been sitting on another row adding 'I can't find him anymore'.
'Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly,' he added.
'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.'
India's prime minister met the plane crash survivor on Friday, as well as those who were injured on the ground.
Photos show PM Narendra Modi leaning over an injured Mr Ramesh who is lying in a hospital bed as the pair have a conversation.
India's leader was also pictured visiting the site of the crash.
'We are all devastated by the air tragedy in Ahmedabad. The loss of so many lives in such a sudden and heartbreaking manner is beyond words,' Modi said on social media after his visit.
'We understand their pain and also know that the void left behind will be felt for years to come.'
The Indian government has launched an investigation into the fatal crash of the London-bound plane that came down in a residential area of Ahmedabad.
Officials said most of the bodies were charred beyond recognition.
There was no news early Friday on the cause of the crash, or on efforts to retrieve the black boxes - the flight data and cockpit voice recorders - as authorities continued to search the crash site.
The plane hit a building housing medical students and burst into flames, killing several college students on the ground.
Shocking images and videos showed how black smoke billowed from the site where the plane crashed near the airport in Ahmedabad, a city of more than five million and the capital of Gujarat.
India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has initiated a probe into the disaster in line with global protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organization, said Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu in a statement on social media.
A team from the United States is expected to arrive in India to help. The National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing and General Electric are all sending experts.
Medics are conducting DNA tests to identify those killed, the national president of the Federation of All India Medical Association, Akshay Dongardiv, said.
Meanwhile, grieving families gathered outside the Civil hospital in Ahmedabad on Friday.
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Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Just how DID the Air India passenger ‘survive the unsurvivable'? Aviation experts weigh on miracle Brit Vishwash Ramesh
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHEN Air India Flight AI171 crashed in Ahmedabad and blazed up into a huge fireball, many believed that no one would have survived. But after video emerged of 40-year-old Brit Vishwash Ramesh stumbling away from the crash site on his own two feet, puzzled experts rushed to theorise how he narrowly avoided death. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 13 The Brit staggered away from the wreckage relatively unscathed 13 Vishwash Ramesh in hospital, visited by Indian PM Narendra Modi 13 It then crashed in a fireball at a doctor's hostel Credit: Getty 13 Investigators are scrambling to figure out what went so wrong with the plane Many were also shocked to see the London local explaining his near-death experience casually to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and local media just one day later. Crash analysts from around the world have now weighed in on how they think the miracle survivor managed to cheat certain death. Vishwash was on seat 11A when the London Gatwick-bound flight hit a doctors' hostel in the west of India, killing his fellow 241 passengers and crew as well as more on the ground. The Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 "came to a standstill mid-air" according to sole survivor Vishwash, and then crashed less than a minute after taking off. Investigators are still combing over footage and evidence to uncover what exactly caused the crash. But experts are also trying to dissect Vishwash's story - and are attempting to theorise how he survived the unsurvivable. Vishwash himself told local media that he was able to push open the plane's fuselage by the emergency door and get out before the plane blew up. It is currently unclear whether the opening Vishwash "slipped out" of was the emergency door or a rupture in the aircraft's fuselage. But aerospace and aviation professor Graham Braithwaite speculated the lucky Brit may have actually been flung out of the wreckage. He said: "The aircraft was loaded with fuel and it crashed into a heavily populated area. 'I opened my eyes & slipped out'…Brit sole survivor of Air India crash details escape "I can only imagine that he was thrown from the wreckage, and that somehow as it crashed, what it hit managed to absorb some of the impact." He added: "Looking at the scene, I would imagine that the disruption to the aircraft would have been huge. "If anybody could have got out, then they probably could have just gone out in a gap in the fuselage - you'd struggle to infer from this, therefore, that is the seat you must always sit in." The expert also said that surviving a crash like this was more a matter of being lucky about where a passenger is sat. Meanwhile, former senior crash investigator, Tony Cable, told the Guardian his theory on how the jet having its nose up at the moment it crashed may have helped Vishwash escape. He explained: 'The aircraft was pretty nose up when it hit the buildings. "It has presumably broken open in an area of the fuselage adjacent to this guy and fortuitously he has popped out without major injury." 13 The seating plan of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner shows the seat 11A near the emergency exit - while his brother was sat in 11J Credit: The seating plan of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner shows the seat 11A near the emergency exit - while his brother was sat in 11J 13 Vishwash Kumar Ramesh - sitting in 11A - was the sole survivor of the jet crash 13 He also explained that the impact of the crash could have broken a part of the plane, or the emergency door itself, giving the Brit a chance to escape death. Another expert weighed in on the importance of Vishwash's seat selection of 11A. Engineering safety professor John McDermid said that his choice of seat may have given the lucky Brit more time to escape. Seat 11A is positioned on the left side of the aircraft's body, right next to an emergency door, and has extra leg room because it is the first row of economy seats behind business class. And this specific location on board the plane may have meant that Vishwash was given seconds more to get out of the burning jet. Other passengers sat in regular seats may have been crushed on impact due to their proximity to the seats in front of them, according to the expert. Professor McDermid also said: " My suspicion is that because of the nature of the impact, he was in a strong part of the airplane at the front edge of the wing. "There is not just the fuselage, but the extra structure of the wing to protect from the compression of the fuselage." He added, highlighting the importance of seat 11A: 'It's possible that the impact loosened the door and he could kick it out and get out. 'The external door was only just in front of him so he didn't have far to go.' Another analyst doubled down on the seat's crucial location within the jet. Fire evacuation expert professor Ed Galea said: "The fact that anyone has survived is miraculous." But he put Vishwash's fortune down the seats proximity to the emergency exit. 13 Vishwash's boarding pass shows that he sat in seat 11A 13 Government officials beneath the tail of the plane, which remains wedged in a building 13 No more survivors are expected to be found in the wreckage In his own research of plane crashes, he found that people sitting within five rows of a serviceable exit have a better chance of surviving than those sat more than five rows away from one. The expert added that when he travels, he always tries to reserve a seat within five rows of an emergency exit to boost his odds of survival. Another theory for how Vishwash survived was also made after shocking footage of the plane's final moments showed what may have been the emergency door flying away from the jet. Unbelievable footage showed the moment the Dreamliner went down - with a mysterious object seen spinning away seconds before the plane blew up into a fireball. The theories about how Vishwash survived also come as a veteran pilot revealed what he believes caused the devastating crash itself YouTuber and commercial airline pilot Captain Steve Chen gave his chilling theory after watching the horrifying video of the disaster. Some 279 people have been killed following the horror smash in Ahmedabad, India. Investigations are still ongoing into the cause of the crash - with at least one of the black boxes recovered from the wreck. 13 People stand near debris at the site of the crash Credit: Getty 13 The plane was seen wedged in a building Credit: Reuters 13 Both pilot Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and co-pilot Clive Kunder and believed to be among the dead. Mr Sabharwal, who had 8,200 hours of experience, while his colleague Mr Kunder had 1,100 hours. Vishwash could also provide key clues as to what happened to the plane. He said cabin lights began flickering before the jet sank through the air and crashed. Recalling the moments before tragedy, Vishwash, from Leicester, said: "When the flight took off, within five to 10 seconds it felt like it was stuck in the air. "Suddenly, the lights started flickering - green and white. "The aircraft wasn't gaining altitude and was just gliding before it suddenly slammed into a building and exploded." Vishwash's flickering lights revelation comes after a passenger, who took the plane the day before the crash, claimed electrical parts such as the back-of-seat screens weren't working. Aviation experts have speculated that the reports of dodgy electrics could be a sign of a power failure, possibly explaining the crash. Air India is keeping an open mind as to what went wrong and caused the deaths of 52 Brits. Theories being considered include issues with the engine thrust, flaps and landing gear - as well as a bird strike and a pilot error.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
British 'miracle' sole survivor of Air India plane crash is reunited with his family as he mourns loss of brother
The British man who was the miraculous sole survivor of the Air India plane crash had an emotional reunion with his family after they flew out from the UK to be at his hospital bedside. Vishwashkumar Ramesh, 40 is being treated at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, just a short distance from where the Gatwick bound flight crashed into buildings. His parents, Manibhai and Bava, wife Hiral and two brothers, Sunnykumar and Nayankumar arrived in the city late on Saturday night and were taken under police escort straight to the hospital where they spent more than an hour comforting him. His brother Ajay, who was seated across the aisle from him is believed to have been killed in last Thursday's crash. Vikramkumar, a cousin of both men revealed: 'As you can imagine it was very emotional and there were a lot of tears because this was the first time they were seeing him, but they are also mourning the loss of their son. 'Their mother was inconsolable, this has hit her really hard. She's been crying a lot for Ajay who she was very close to. 'The family plan to stay in India until they can perform his last rites and until Vikramkumar is discharged, which we are hoping will be very soon.' He revealed that the family are staying at a secret location and are being supported by members of the extended family who live in India. Vikramkumar added: 'It is a very strange time for them. On one hand they are happy that one of their son's survived but on the other, they are heartbroken at the loss of Ajay. 'We are a very big and close family so we are doing all we can to support them.' Indian officials said that a DNA sample had been taken from Mr Ramesh to help identify his brother and that they hope to hand over his body to the family by Tuesday at the latest. Mr Ramesh is also expected to be discharged from hospital at around the same time after sustaining only minor injuries in the crash.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Just how DID the Air India passenger ‘survive the unsurvivable'? Aviation experts weigh on miracle Brit Vishwash Ramesh
WHEN Air India Flight AI171 crashed in Ahmedabad and blazed up into a huge fireball, many believed that no one would have survived. But after video emerged of 40-year-old Brit Vishwash Ramesh stumbling away from the crash site on his own two feet, experts started theorising how Vishwash narrowly avoided death. 12 12 12 Many were also shocked to see the London local explaining his near-death experience casually to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and local media just one day later. Crash analysts from around the world have now weighed in on how they think the miracle survivor managed to cheat certain death. Vishwash was on seat 11A when the London Gatwick-bound flight hit a doctors' hostel in the west of India, killing his fellow 241 passengers and crew as well as more on the ground. The Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 "came to a standstill mid-air" according to sole survivor Vishwash, and then crashed less than a minute after taking off. Investigators are still combing over footage and evidence to uncover what exactly caused the crash. But experts are also trying to dissect Vishwash's story - and are attempting to theorise how he survived the unsurvivable. Vishwash himself told local media that he was able to push open the plane's fuselage by the emergency door and get out before the plane blew up. It is currently unclear whether the opening Vishwash "slipped out" of was the emergency door or a rupture in the aircraft's fuselage. But aerospace and aviation professor Graham Braithwaite speculated the lucky Brit may have actually been flung out of the wreckage. He said: "The aircraft was loaded with fuel and it crashed into a heavily populated area. 'I opened my eyes & slipped out'…Brit sole survivor of Air India crash details escape "I can only imagine that he was thrown from the wreckage, and that somehow as it crashed, what it hit managed to absorb some of the impact." He added: "Looking at the scene, I would imagine that the disruption to the aircraft would have been huge. "If anybody could have got out, then they probably could have just gone out in a gap in the fuselage - you'd struggle to infer from this, therefore, that is the seat you must always sit in." The expert also said that surviving a crash like this was more a matter of being lucky about where a passenger is sat. Meanwhile, former senior crash investigator, Tony Cable, told the Guardian his theory on how the jet having its nose up at the moment it crashed may have helped Vishwash escape. He explained: 'The aircraft was pretty nose up when it hit the buildings. "It has presumably broken open in an area of the fuselage adjacent to this guy and fortuitously he has popped out without major injury." 12 12 He also explained that the impact of the crash could have broken a part of the plane, or the emergency door itself, giving the Brit a chance to escape death. Another expert weighed in on the importance of Vishwash's seat selection of 11A. Engineering safety professor John McDermid said that his choice of seat may have given the lucky Brit more time to escape. Seat 11A is positioned on the left side of the aircraft's body, right next to an emergency door, and has extra leg room because it is the first row of economy seats behind business class. And this specific location on board the plane may have meant that Vishwash was given seconds more to get out of the burning jet. Other passengers sat in regular seats may have been crushed on impact due to their proximity to the seats in front of them, according to the expert. Professor McDermid also said: " My suspicion is that because of the nature of the impact, he was in a strong part of the airplane at the front edge of the wing. "There is not just the fuselage, but the extra structure of the wing to protect from the compression of the fuselage." He added, highlighting the importance of seat 11A: 'It's possible that the impact loosened the door and he could kick it out and get out. 'The external door was only just in front of him so he didn't have far to go.' Another analyst doubled down on the seat's crucial location within the jet. Fire evacuation expert professor Ed Galea said: "The fact that anyone has survived is miraculous." But he put Vishwash's fortune down the seats proximity to the emergency exit. 12 12 12 In his own research of plane crashes, he found that people sitting within five rows of a serviceable exit have a better chance of surviving than those sat more than five rows away from one. The expert added that when he travels, he always tries to reserve a seat within five rows of an emergency exit to boost his odds of survival. Another theory for how Vishwash survived was also made after shocking footage of the plane's final moments showed what may have been the emergency door flying away from the jet. Unbelievable footage showed the moment the Dreamliner went down - with a mysterious object seen spinning away seconds before the plane blew up into a fireball. The theories about how Vishwash survived also come as a veteran pilot revealed what he believes caused the devastating crash itself YouTuber and commercial airline pilot Captain Steve Chen gave his chilling theory after watching the horrifying video of the disaster. Some 279 people have been killed following the horror smash in Ahmedabad, India. Investigations are still ongoing into the cause of the crash - with at least one of the black boxes recovered from the wreck. 12 12 Both pilot Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and co-pilot Clive Kunder and believed to be among the dead. Mr Sabharwal, who had 8,200 hours of experience, while his colleague Mr Kunder had 1,100 hours. Vishwash could also provide key clues as to what happened to the plane. He said cabin lights began flickering before the jet sank through the air and crashed. Recalling the moments before tragedy, Vishwash, from Leicester, said: "When the flight took off, within five to 10 seconds it felt like it was stuck in the air. "Suddenly, the lights started flickering - green and white. "The aircraft wasn't gaining altitude and was just gliding before it suddenly slammed into a building and exploded." Vishwash's flickering lights revelation comes after a passenger, who took the plane the day before the crash, claimed electrical parts such as the back-of-seat screens weren't working. Aviation experts have speculated that the reports of dodgy electrics could be a sign of a power failure, possibly explaining the crash. Air India is keeping an open mind as to what went wrong and caused the deaths of 52 Brits. Theories being considered include issues with the engine thrust, flaps and landing gear - as well as a bird strike and a pilot error. India's dark aviation history A LONDON-BOUND Air India flight crashed in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad on Thursday. The following are details of some other airline accidents in India in recent decades: AUGUST 2020 At least 18 people died and 16 were severely injured when an Air India Express Boeing 737 plane skidded off the runway in the southern city of Kozhikode during heavy rain, plunged into a valley and crashed nose-first into the ground. MAY 2010 An Air India Boeing 737 flight from Dubai overshot the runway at the airport in the southern city of Mangaluru and crashed into a ravine, killing 158 people on board. JULY 2000 More than 50 people were killed when a state-owned Alliance Air flight between Kolkata and the capital, New Delhi, crashed in a residential area of the eastern city of Patna.
