The family of the sole survivor of the Air India plane crash have outlined the impact the tragedy has had on him. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh was sat in seat 11A of the doomed airliner and was the only person to emerge from the wreckage after the plane crashed shortly after take-off.
260 people died in the disaster, including fellow passengers and those on the ground, after the plane hit a medical facility close to the airport. Krunal Keshave, 24, from Leicester, a member of the extended family who refers to Ramesh as “uncle” said: “He can’t sleep at night. He sleeps but doesn’t sleep properly. When he sleeps, he dreams he is on the flight.
“He remembers seeing everyone die in front of his eyes.”
Kumar Ramesh, who is from Leicester, has decided to remain in India while he recuperates from his injuries, where he is staying in Bucharwada village in Diu, on the coast of the western state of Gujarat.
As the sole survivor of such a large crash, Kumar Ramesh has generated significant media interest, with Indian news outlets dubbing him “miracle man” and “God’s child”.
But the aftermath is forcing Kumar Ramesh to deal not just with the impact of the crash but also the loss of his brother, who was onboard with him at the time of the tragedy.
Keshave said: “He sees him everywhere. He speaks but he doesn’t speak about the crash.
“His wife and his son are there with him, supporting him. He is currently trying to have a normal life, but he is not going out too much.
“He is spending time at home with the family. He was living in the house in Diu with his brother before the crash.”
Another relative added: “He feels guilty that he is the only one to have lived when everybody else, including his brother, died. It’s a lot to live with.”
An investigation into the crash is likely to take around a year but a 15-page preliminary report released earlier this month by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) revealed confusion amongst the pilots over why one had moved fuel switches.
Air India said it “stands in solidarity with the families and those affected by the AI 171 accident”.
A spokesman said: “We continue to fully co-operate with the AAIB and other authorities as their investigation progresses.”