Air India Crash Sole Survivor Says He's 'Lucky to Be Alive' but Haunted by Grief

The only survivor of the Air India plane crash that killed 241 people has described himself as the "luckiest man alive", even as he struggles with grief and trauma after losing his younger brother in the tragedy.

Survivor Speaks Out for First Time

Viswashkumar Ramesh, 39, walked away from the wreckage of a London-bound Air India Boeing 787 that burst into flames shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad in June. His miraculous escape stunned the world after videos showed him emerging from the debris with minor injuries."It’s a miracle," Ramesh told BBC News, adding, "I lost my brother as well. My brother is my backbone." His brother, Ajay, was seated just a few rows away and was among those killed.

Living With Loss and Trauma

Ramesh said he has since struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and physical injuries that prevent him from working or driving. "Now I’m alone. I just sit in my room alone, not talking with my wife or my son," he said.His advisers told BBC that Ramesh has not received any medical treatment since returning home to Leicester and remains in deep emotional distress. "He’s lost and broken," said local community leader Sanjiv Patel, who has been supporting the family.

Family Calls for Accountability

Ramesh’s representatives, including spokesman Radd Seiger, accused Air India of failing to adequately support the survivor and victims’ families. They said repeated requests to meet airline executives had been ignored."They’re in crisis, mentally, physically, financially," Patel said, adding, "Whoever’s responsible should meet the victims and understand their needs."Air India, owned by the Tata Group, said in a statement that senior leaders have been visiting families and offered to meet Ramesh’s representatives. The airline said it remains committed to providing support.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2AGKyYDnpM

Ramesh has accepted interim compensation of £21,500, but his advisers say it is insufficient. The family’s fishing business in Diu, which Ramesh ran with his late brother, has since collapsed.Of the victims, 169 were Indian nationals and 52 were Britons. A preliminary report by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau found that fuel supply to the engines was cut off seconds after takeoff.