A relative of Air India passenger Vishwash Kumar Ramesh said he was ‘painted with blood’ after he emerged from the wreckage of the doomed flight bound for London
The family of a Brit who survived the Air India plane crash disaster have broken their silence following the deadly tragedy. British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh is believed to be the sole survivor after Air India Flight 171, bound for London Gatwick, crashed minutes after take-off in Ahmedabad, India, earlier today.
Relatives waited in agony as details slowly started to emerge following the crash. Vishwash’s family said they had “no idea” how he managed to survive. His brother Ajay was also on the flight. Speaking outside the family home in Leicester, Vishwash’s other brother Nayan Kumar Ramesh, 27, said: “We were just shocked as soon as we heard it.
“I last spoke to him yesterday morning. We’re devastated, just devastated. He said I have no idea how I exited the plane.” A relative called Jay added that Vishwash spoke to his dad following the crash.
“He’s got some injuries on his face. He was painted in blood,” he said. “He was pretty much covered in blood, that’s what his dad said.”
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He added: “He’s doing well I think. It’s a big shock. I don’t have many words to describe the incident.
Vishwash’s cousin Ajay Valgi told BBC News: “He only said that he’s fine, nothing else” Vishwash was sitting next to his brother on the flight and has a wife and “little boy” at home, Mr Valgi added.
Asked about reports that Mr Ramesh was the sole survivor, the cousin said: “Yes, we heard that, but still can’t say anything unless we hear it from the proper people, person, so.”
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He added: “At least the family is happy that he’s okay but we’re still upset about the other brother… We’re not doing well are we, we’re all upset”.
He added that the family is waiting to find out what happened to Vishwash’s brother. “I feel absolutely upset, he’s not just my cousin, he’s my brother, he’s my best friend as well.”
Indian investigators are still looking to uncover what happened in the moments leading up to the crash. At least 200 people are believed to have died in the tragedy with some 11 on board believed to be children.
Among the passengers were 53 British nationals, 169 Indian nationals, seven Portuguese people and one Canadian.
The cause of the crash has not been confirmed. Boeing stated: “We are aware of initial reports and are working to gather more information.”