“I Survived the Unsurvivable”: Survivor Speaks on the Air India Crash

When Air India Flight 171 crashed into a student hostel moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad, the tragedy sent shockwaves across India and the world.

Yet amid loss and devastation, stories of human endurance, quick thinking, and unexpected survival have come to light, reminding us that behind every headline are lives forever changed.

The Survivor: “It Still Feels Unreal”

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian descent, was the sole survivor among 242 people onboard. Recuperating in hospital, he speaks quietly about the moments that saved his life.

“I remember a jolt, and then chaos, bags flying, people screaming. I must have blacked out for a second. When I came to, it was all smoke and darkness. Instinct took over. I crawled toward the only light I could see. To this day, I don’t know how I found the strength.”

For Vishwash, survival brings both gratitude and a heavy burden. “I keep thinking of the families who lost someone. I’m here, and so many are not. I hope to honor them by sharing their memory.”

Those on the Ground: Everyday Heroes

Inside the B.J. Medical College hostel, med student Anjali Shah was studying when the crash occurred. “Everything shook. Windows shattered. For a moment, we thought it was an earthquake.” She and her peers rushed to the wreckage, providing first aid before rescue teams arrived.

“We tried to help as many as we could,” Anjali recalls. “Some of the faces—I’ll never forget them. But I’m proud of what we did as a community.”

Firefighters like Rajeev Patel worked through smoke and flames to pull survivors from the rubble. “It was a race against time. We train for these moments, but nothing prepares you for the real thing,” he says.

Community in Mourning and Recovery

As rescue operations continued, the people of Ahmedabad rallied together, offering shelter, blood donations, and comfort to the injured and bereaved. “Tragedy can bring out the best in us,” says hospital administrator Dr. Meera Joshi, who coordinated care for dozens of patients.

“What I saw in those hours, compassion, selflessness, teamwork, will stay with me for life.”

For those affected, the path forward is uncertain. Counseling and support groups have been set up for survivors, witnesses, and emergency responders. Experts say emotional recovery will take time, but community solidarity is making a difference.

While investigations continue, families and survivors are left searching for answers—and meaning. “We lost classmates, colleagues, loved ones,” says Anjali. “But we also saw courage and kindness. That’s what I’ll hold on to.”

Vishwash, still processing his own survival, sums it up: “What happened shouldn’t happen to anyone. But if my story can help others heal or inspire safer skies, then sharing it is the least I can do.”