Every Day Is Painful for Survivor of Air India Crash
The sole survivor of the tragic Air India flight AI171 crash, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, has described his recovery as an ongoing battle marked by trauma and grief. The June 12, 2025 accident, involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, claimed 241 lives onboard and 19 people on the ground. Ramesh, a 40-year-old British-Indian citizen, was seated near an emergency exit and miraculously managed to escape the wreckage.
Survival and Loss
Ramesh lost his younger brother Ajay, who was also on the flight. After the aircraft burst into flames, he crawled out through a damaged emergency exit and was rescued by local responders. Though he survived with multiple fractures and burns, he continues to struggle with physical pain, insomnia, and severe post-traumatic stress. He said, “Every day is painful for me and my family.”
Investigation Findings
A preliminary report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau suggests the engines lost thrust after the fuel-cut-off switches were accidentally triggered shortly after take-off. Investigators are still determining the cause of this malfunction and whether human or technical error was involved.
Family Appeal and Broader Implications
Ramesh’s family has called for better long-term support for victims’ relatives and emphasized the need for stronger aviation safety checks. The crash has renewed discussions on emergency exit design, pilot training, and psychological rehabilitation for survivors of air disasters.
