Ahmedabad crash's lone miracle survivor Vishwash Kumar Ramesh battles guilt and chilling nightmares: ‘He sleeps, but...'
Air India Flight AI171
in Ahmedabad, the only passenger who survived—40-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh—is still grappling with the emotional aftermath. Having escaped with only minor physical injuries, Ramesh has been dealing with recurring nightmares and deep psychological distress, especially over the loss of his younger brother, Ajay, who was also on the flight.
The Air India
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
, bound for London Gatwick, went down just 30 seconds after take-off from Ahmedabad airport on June 12. It crashed into a hostel building meant for doctors at Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College and Civil Hospital, killing 19 people on the ground. Onboard were 242 individuals, including 169 Indian nationals and 53 British nationals. Only one person survived.
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Ramesh, who was seated in 11A, walked out with cuts on his face and some chest injuries. His brother Ajay, seated in 11J, did not survive.
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Sleepless Nights and Lingering Guilt
Family members say Ramesh has been unable to sleep properly since the incident. 'He sleeps but doesn't sleep properly. When he does, he dreams he's back on the flight,' said Krunal Keshave, a relative based in Leicester, in a statement to
The Times
. 'He remembers seeing everyone die in front of his eyes.'
Ramesh has chosen to remain in Bucharwada, a village in Diu, rather than return to the UK. He is currently staying with his wife and four-year-old son. 'He is not going out much. He's spending time at home with the family,' Keshave added.
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The family had been in India to visit relatives and manage a seasonal fishing business. Both brothers had run the business together for the past few years, catching pomfret, mackerel, and sardines along the Gujarat coast.
Investigation Points to Cockpit Confusion
The
Aircraft Accident Investigation
Bureau (AAIB) of India released its preliminary findings on July 11. The report cited confusion in the cockpit as a contributing factor. According to the report, the aircraft's fuel control switches were found to have been turned off, starving both engines of fuel. Audio from the cockpit reportedly recorded a disagreement between the captain and co-pilot over who had changed the switches.
A final report is expected within a year, in line with international aviation protocols.
Though hailed as a 'miracle survivor' by everyone, those close to Ramesh say he carries a heavy emotional burden. One relative described him as 'guilty' for having survived when 'everyone else, including his brother, died.'
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