Sole survivor of Air India plane crash tells how he survived Vishwaskumar Ramesh, the only passenger who survived the Air India plane crash that killed 241 people, said he could not believe he was alive when he opened his eyes, surrounded by flames, debris and charred bodies.
Taken to a local hospital, Ramesh told Indian national television that the plane appeared to be stuck in mid-air for seconds after takeoff. He said the plane accelerated but failed to gain altitude before crashing.
Ramesh, who was sitting in seat 11A, said his side of the plane fell to the ground floor of the building and there was room for him to escape after the doors opened. He unbuckled his seat belt and got out of the plane.
"When I opened my eyes, I realized I was alive," he said.
Ramesh suffered burns on his left arm and walked some distance in shock before locals provided him with assistance and took him to the hospital in an ambulance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited the crash site on Friday, spoke to the sole survivor.
"I told Modi everything I saw. He also asked me about my health," Ramesh said from his hospital bed.
Dr. Daval Gameti, who treated him, said he was disoriented with multiple injuries all over his body, but appeared to be out of danger.
Ramesh said he saw several passengers and crew members losing their lives and parts of the plane scattered around the crash site. Ramesh was travelling with his brother and after the crash he called relatives in Leicester, UK. He has a wife and son at home.
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