Sole Survivor of Air India Crash Escaped Through Emergency Exit, Police Say

In a rare and tragic aviation disaster, a British national emerged as the sole survivor of an Air India crash that claimed the lives of 241 people aboard a London-bound flight from Ahmedabad. Authorities confirmed late Thursday that 40-year-old Ramesh Viswashkumar survived the crash after leaping out of an emergency exit moments before the aircraft was engulfed in flames.

According to preliminary police reports and witness statements, Viswashkumar was seated near an emergency exit and managed to open the hatch and jump out shortly after the aircraft made a catastrophic landing and skidded off the runway. The exact sequence of events leading to the crash is still under investigation by Indian aviation authorities.

Viswashkumar, speaking from his hospital bed at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, recounted the harrowing experience. “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,” he told the Hindustan Times.

Viswashkumar had been traveling with his brother, who is among the victims of the crash. The brothers had recently completed a family visit in Gujarat and were en route to London when tragedy struck.

Doctors report that Viswashkumar sustained multiple fractures and minor burns but is in stable condition. “He is conscious and responsive. He is receiving both medical and psychological support,” said Dr. Leena Patel, head of emergency care at the hospital.

Officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have launched an inquiry into the cause of the crash, with black box recovery and analysis already underway. Early reports suggest the aircraft may have encountered technical difficulties shortly after takeoff, but investigators have not ruled out other causes, including pilot error or mechanical failure.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and praised rescue teams for their swift response. “This is a dark day for Indian aviation. We will ensure a full and transparent investigation,” he said in a statement.

The British High Commission in New Delhi has confirmed Viswashkumar’s citizenship and is coordinating with Indian authorities to provide consular support.

This incident marks one of the deadliest aviation tragedies in India in recent years, and the sole survivor’s escape has drawn both sorrow and astonishment across the country and abroad.