British Air India crash survivor reveals how he 'just walked out' of burning plane as he provides update
The only survivor of the tragic Air India plane crash recalled his experience of walking off the plane after the accident.
Viswash Kumar Ramesh, a British national, was onboard the doomed flight AI171, which took off from Ahmedabad on Thursday 12 June, bound for London Gatwick.
But while it was first reported by authorities that there wasn't expected to be any survivors, news of Ramesh quickly spread as he was filmed walking away from the wreckage.
Now known as the 'miracle' in seat 11A, which is where he was seated, Romesh's family have since spoken out, with his brother admitted that he had 'no idea' how he came away from the crash, which killed 241 of the 242 passengers onboard.
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The sole survivor has now recalled how he escaped the wreckage, in an update.
The Air India Flight, which was carrying 53 Britons onboard, lost signal within a minute of taking off from Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, with pilots issuing a Mayday call around 13.38 local time.
Just 625 feet in the air, the plane started to plummet back to Earth, and crashed into the BJ Medical College UG hostel in Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad.
The accommodation was housing doctors at the time, which left several on the ground injured while it was reported that some were missing, by the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA).
Ramesh, 40, is the only known survivor of the tragedy, and was left with injuries to his chest, eyes, and feet.
Having spoken to the media previously, he has now provided an update on his situation from a hospital bed.
After a visit to India for the best part of a year, he was on his way back to his family in London with his brother, Ajay Kumar, who is believed to have died in the explosion.
Speaking to DD India, he admitted that he was 'feeling better than yesterday' and that his treatment was progressing.
Understandably, the Brit was still in shock and said that he couldn't explain what exactly happened prior to the crash.
Romesh revealed that he escaped through his side of the plane and fell onto the ground in a building, making his way through a broken door.
He recalled: "The emergency door was broken, my seat is broken," adding that he didn't jump and just 'walked out innit'.
"It's a miracle," he stated.
Speaking to local media outlet Doordarshan previously, Ramesh said he 'can't believe' how he came out alive, adding: "For a little while, I thought I was also going to die. But when I opened my eyes, I realised I was alive.
"So I tried to escape. I pulled out the belt from under my seat and tried to escape. Then I managed to do it. I saw others and the air hostess in front of me who couldn’t escape."
He recalled seeing 'bodies all around' him when he physically got up, spotting pieces of the plane near him, before being taken to hospital via ambulance.
Romesh also begged people at the hospital bed to 'find Ajay', his brother, who was in the crash but did not survive, in a heartbreaking cry for help.
The doctor who has been caring for him revealed that he's only nursing some minor injuries, saying: "He has some abrasions over his left forearm and swelling over left eyelid and over the eyes."
He went on: "Chest and abdomen is clear, no lung fractures present. The patient is vitally stable."
Relatives have also revealed that he may be released in the next 48 hours, with his family expected to have arrived in Ahmedabad over the weekend to see him.
His father said: "We don’t want to say too much because this is a very difficult time for us all. On one hand we are very happy that Viswashkumar survived but at the same time we are in mourning for Ajay."
Topics: Air India, Health, Travel, World News, London
Joshua Nair