 "'Now I’m alone': Air India crash survivor says he’s the ‘luckiest man alive’, but life after tragedy remains painful")
Viswashkumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of the June 12 Air India crash in Ahmedabad that killed 241 people, says he feels like the “luckiest man alive” — but continues to struggle physically and mentally after the tragedy.
Ramesh, who escaped from seat 11A of the London-bound AI 171 flight through an opening in the fuselage, told the BBC that he now lives in isolation. “Now I’m alone. I just sit in my room alone, not talking with my wife, my son. I just like to be alone in my house,” he said.
His younger brother Ajay, who was seated just a few rows away, died in the crash. “I’m the only survivor. Still, I don’t believe it. It’s a miracle,” he said tearfully. “I lost my brother as well. My brother is my backbone. In the last few years, he has always supported me.”
Ramesh has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder but says he has received no treatment since returning to Leicester from India. “It’s very difficult, physically and mentally, for me and my family. My mum sits outside the door every day, not talking or doing anything. Every day is painful for the whole family,” he said.
He also described ongoing pain in his leg, shoulder, knee, and back that prevents him from working or driving. “When I walk or can’t walk properly, slowly, slowly, my wife helps,” he added.
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More ShortsCommunity leader Sanjiv Patel and spokesman Radd Seiger, who are supporting Ramesh, have accused Air India of neglecting survivors’ needs. “They’re in crisis — mentally, physically, financially. Whoever’s responsible should be meeting the victims and understanding their pain,” Patel said.
Seiger alleged that Air India executives had ignored meeting requests. “It’s appalling that we have to sit here today and put him through this. The people responsible should come and sit with us to try and ease some of this suffering,” he said.
Air India, owned by Tata Group, said senior officials have continued to visit victims’ families and that an offer for a meeting with Ramesh’s representatives had been made earlier. The airline confirmed it has provided interim compensation of £21,500 (Rs 25.09 lakh), though Ramesh’s advisers said it’s insufficient to meet his needs.
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