The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner smashed into a medical college killing everyone on board other than 39-year-old Mr Ramesh.
The sole survivor of the Air India plane crash that killed 241 people he continued to “live with the significant psychological scars”. Briton Vishwash Kumar Ramesh lost his brother in the crash in June last year.
The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner smashed into a medical college shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad Airport, killing everyone on board other than 39-year-old Mr Ramesh. Some 169 Indian passengers and 52 British nationals were killed, making it one of the deadliest plane crashes in terms of the number of British fatalities.
Besides those on board flight AI171, another 19 people also died and 67 were seriously injured.
Mr Ramesh, survived the crash by unbuckling his seatbelt and crawling out through a sudden opening in the aircraft’s fuselage. He was seated in seat 11A, an emergency exit row seat near the front of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which aviation experts note is close to the “wing box” – one of the strongest structural parts of an airplane.
Mr Ramesh has lived in Leicester for more than 20 years, previously said the death of his brother Ajay “took all my happiness” after describing it as a “miracle” that he survived. In a short statement 12 months on from the crash, he told the Press Association: “What many people perhaps don’t fully appreciate is that the trauma didn’t end on the day of the disaster.
“I live with the significant psychological scars, the loss of my brother, and the constant unanswered questions around how and why this happened. I know those questions are not just on my mind – they are on the minds of every affected family. More than anything, people need honesty, transparency and answers. Nothing will ever change what happened, but families deserve clarity.”
Investigators have yet to publish their final findings into the cause of the crash. A preliminary report into the incident from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau found both of the plane’s fuel switches moved to the “cut-off” position “immediately” after take-off, stopping fuel supply to the engine.
Mr Ramesh met with Air Accident Investigators in Ahmedabad in March, his representative Sanjiv Patel said. Mr Patel said the crash survivor has to date received £21,500 from Air India to support his wife and five-year-old son – an interim payment provided to all families who lost loved ones in the disaster.
He told the Press Association: “He continues to struggle physically, psychologically and financially. We’ve repeatedly asked to meet the chief executive of Air India but that has not happened. We recently met with executives of Air India and representatives connected to the Tata Group.
“Those discussions were constructive and have resulted in some positive progress, although a number of important issues remain under discussion. The reality is that Viswash and his family continue to face significant financial hardship.
“Due to the physical and psychological impact of the crash he has been unable to return to work and support his family in the way he once did, leaving them currently living on less than £1,000 per month.
“They’re not alone. Despite one of the worst aviation disasters involving British citizens in recent years, neither Viswash nor many of the affected families we have spoken to have received any direct contact or tailored support from the UK Government.”
Mr Ramesh is taking civil action following the crash, with his solicitors saying: “We will be examining every detail of the air accident investigations and expecting all parties involved to act appropriately to any findings of fault, failure or negligence.”
Solicitor Paul McClorry from Hudgell Solicitors said civil claims are being considered against a number of potential defendants.
He said in a statement: “We’ve had significant dialogue with the legal representatives for Air India and they have been very cooperative in recent times, providing some initial funding for much needed physical and psychological rehabilitation support.
“We are awaiting the findings of the investigations, and we should finally start to see some clarity as to how and why this awful disaster happened, and, crucially, how it could have been avoided.
“Lessons clearly must be learnt, and for that to happen there needs to be complete transparency and a willingness to accept responsibility.”
The Foreign Office have been approached for comment.
A spokesperson for Air India said: “Air India remains committed to supporting every individual impacted by the AI171 tragedy with care and compassion. While we cannot discuss the specifics of any individual case, representatives from Air India and the Tata Group met with Mr Ramesh and had a constructive and meaningful engagement.
“The discussions provided insight into Mr Ramesh’s needs and concerns, enabling a clearer understanding of how best to support him. We remain in close contact with Mr Ramesh and his representatives and are actively working to ensure that appropriate support continues to be extended to him.”
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