Survivor Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, told a doctor that immediately after the plane took off, it began descending and suddenly split in two, throwing him out and saving his life
The sole survivor of the tragic Air India crash which killed 241 people on board has described how he escaped from the plane and only suffered some basic injuries. British man Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, was travelling back to the UK after visiting India and was in seat 11A when the plane crashed on Thursday.
His brother older brother Ajay Kumar Ramesh, 45, is believed to have been on board in a different seat. Vishwash, who said he suffered “impact injuries” on his chest, eyes and feet, explained that around 30 seconds after take-off there was “a loud noise” before the plane crashed.
READ MORE: Air India plane crash UPDATES: Airline issues new statement which confirms worst
Speaking to a medic on the general ward of the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, in the Indian state of Gujarat, the survivor explained that immediately after the plane took off, it began descending and suddenly split in two, throwing him out before a loud explosion.
Recalling his terrifying experience, he told the Hindustan Times: “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.”
Dr. Dhaval Gameti, who visited Vishwash, said he was “disoriented with multiple injuries all over his body.” However, the medic added that Vishwash “seems to be out of danger”. Sadly, Air India confirmed this evening that 241 of the 242 people – including 52 Britons – on board the Boeing 787 Dreamliner were killed.
It is one of the deadliest plane crashes in terms of the number of British nationals killed. Air India said in a statement: “The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew. The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off. We regret to inform that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities.
“The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital. The passengers comprised 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals and 1 Canadian national. The survivor is a British national of Indian origin. Air India offers its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased.”
Meanwhile, Vishwash’s younger 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’.”
Footage circulating online showed how the crash created a huge explosion, with an enormous ball of fire erupting from the aircraft, followed by plumes of black smoke. Another of Mr Ramesh’s relatives, Jay, said the survivor spoke to his father after the crash and asked after his brother Ajay.
Jay said: “After the crash he spoke to his dad worrying about his brother saying ‘Where’s Ajay’? He’s got some injuries on his face. He was painted in blood. He was pretty much covered in blood, that’s what his dad said.” He added: “He’s doing well I think. It’s a big shock. I don’t have many words to describe the incident.”
Three Brits who died in the crash were named by the Gloucester Muslim Community on Facebook as Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa and their four-year-old daughter Sara. The cause of the crash hasn’t been confirmed and investigations are ongoing.