How did the sole survivor of Air India plane, on seat 11A, escape the Ahmedabad crash?

Ramesh, a 45-year-old British national, was seated on 11A – near an emergency exit – of the Air India flight, when it crashed on Thursday.

Updated on: Jun 13, 2025, 16:46:50 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the only survivor of the fatal Air India plane crash in Gujarat's Ahmedabad that killed all others who were on the aircraft, said that he is still in disbelief about his escape.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national, was in India for a few days to visit his family and was going back to the UK along with his brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh (HT Photo)

Ramesh, a 45-year-old British national, was seated on 11A – near an emergency exit – of the Air India flight, when it crashed on Thursday, killing 241 people onboard.

The aircraft crashed into the complex of a medical college after it had taken off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. Of the total passengers onboard, there were 169 Indians, 53 British, one Canadian and seven Portuguese nationals, apart from 12 crew members.

Also Read | Air India plane crash lone survivor Vishwash Kumar Ramesh's first reaction: 'For a moment, I felt…'

"Even I can't believe how I came out of it alive. For a moment, I felt like I was going to die too. But when I opened my eyes and looked around, I realised I was alive. I still can't believe how I survived,” Vishwash Kumar told DD News.

How did he escape?

Ramesh said that soon after the flight took off from the runway, lights started flickering inside the aircraft before it rammed into a building. He added that the section of the aircraft he was in remained grounded and, unlike the rest of the plane, did not crash onto the roof of the building.

Also Read | Air India plane crash: Gujarat ATS recovers digital video recorder from debris

“At first, I thought I was dead. Later, I realised I was still alive and saw an opening in the fuselage. I managed to unbuckle myself, used my leg to push through that opening, and crawled out,” Ramesh said.

He further added: “I don’t know how I survived. “I saw people dying in front of my eyes – the air hostesses, and two people I saw near me … I walked out of the rubble.”

As reported by Hindustan Times, Vishwash was in India for a few days to visit his family and was going back to the UK along with his brother.

Vishwash, who still had his boarding pass, told HT on Thursday: “When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.