The sole survivor of the Air India crash that killed 241 people on board has spoken out about the heartbreaking ways his life has changed in the five months since the tragedy.
Vishwashkumar Ramesh was on board Air India 171 with his brother, Ajay, when the Boeing plane began to lose altitude less than a minute after taking off on June 12.
The family members had been in India to work on their fishing business, and had boarded the plane to return home.
Within just 32 seconds, Ramesh's life changed completely as the jet descended and crashed into the B. J. Medical College in Ahmedabad, killing not only hundreds of people who were on the plane, but also another 19 people on the ground.
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Ramesh managed to escape the wreckage, where he emerged covered in blood and wearing only one shoe - but most importantly, he was alive. He tried to find his brother, but Ajay sadly never made it off the plane.
Looking back now, Ramesh said his life is 'completely different, after this tragedy'.
In an interview with ITV News' Sanita Lal, he said his life has changed both 'physically' and 'mentally', admitting he's in pain 'every day'.
"I lost my younger brother. My whole family broke down, completely. In the last four months, I’m not talking with my friends, my family," he said.
Ramesh has a son, who is just four years old, but the father admitted he's 'not talking much with him'.
He continued: "I’m just alone, living in my room, sitting on my bed.” He added his son 'likes to spend time' with him, but admitted: "I’m not giving time to him."
Ramesh tried to explain why, saying: "Because mentally, I’m completely…”. He trailed off as he struggled to finish his thought.
When asked about how he feels when people describe his survival as a miracle, he responded: “It feels good, but at the same time, I lost my brother on the same flight.”
While Ramesh is still struggling to wrap his head around what has happened, the survivor has chosen to speak out now because he feels he needs more support from Air India.
Radd Seiger, a legal advisor, commented: “It isn’t difficult advice to give [to Air India]. Go and meet - not your junior people - the CEO, or the leadership team. Build an outreach programme. He’s the sole survivor. Sit with him for half an hour and listen to his suffering, and his family’s suffering and then you can deploy your resources accordingly."
In a statement to ITV News, Air India said: “We are deeply conscious of our responsibility to provide Mr Ramesh with support through what must have been an unimaginable period. Care for him - and indeed all families affected by the tragedy - remains our absolute priority.
"Senior leaders from across Tata Group continue to visit families to express their deepest condolences. An offer has been made to Mr Ramesh’s representatives to arrange such a meeting, we will continue to reach out and we very much hope to receive a positive response.
"We are keenly aware this continues to be an incredibly difficult time for all affected and continue to offer the support, compassion, and care we can in the circumstances.”
UNILAD has contacted Air India for additional comment.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].
Topics: Air India, India, Mental Health, World News
Emily Brown