Vishwashkumar Ramesh is a PhD student based in Leicester, England. He is the only survivor of a horrific Air India accident that killed all 241 other passengers and crew on the London-bound flight, plus 19 others on the ground. He described his survival of the disaster a “miracle.” That legacy now finds him in profound mourning and wrestling with physical suffering in the shadows of it all. An analysis of preliminary investigation reports outlines that fuel was shut off to the jet’s engines just seconds before the collision. This failure contributed directly to the crash.
Tragically, Ramesh’s other brother, Ajay, didn’t make it. The unexpected and tragic loss has created a heart-wrenching void in Ramesh’s life. “Ajay was my hero and my all” – meaning of Ajay’s death on the most affected brother. Shocking realities continue to this day. Childhood memories of Ajay. Ramesh as pallbearer for Ajay’s funeral, and a far too painful reminder of his deep loss.
The Battle with Trauma
During recovery in India, Ramesh was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). So, after returning to the UK, he has had no medical treatment for his condition. He’s visited by disturbing flashbacks all day long, and has trouble sleeping, sometimes just three to four hours a night. “I get flashbacks all the time. I just stay awake,” he shared. This continuous psychological struggle has only made his recovery more complex.
Ramesh has dramatic psychological demons. He fights through physical issues such as pain in the leg, shoulder, knee and back. These injuries have made it impossible for him to work or even drive since the tragedy, deeply affecting his quality of life. The impact of these burdens has stranded him from the common experience of grieving with others who have lost their loved ones.
The Call for Justice
Ramesh’s father has taken action by requesting an independent investigation into the crash from India’s top court. He believes that a thorough inquiry is necessary to uncover the truth behind the tragic incident that shattered their family. Ramesh echoed this sentiment, stating, “It completely brought down my family … it’s very difficult for me and my family.”
Ramesh has been reluctant to discuss the collision, describing it as “very painful.” What he has done, whether intentionally or not, is distributing his experience through interviews in British media. More than anything, his story serves as a powerful reminder of the cost of aviation disasters on real human lives. It also underscores the difficult path of recovery survivors often face.
“God gave me life but took all my happiness, and from my family.” – Vishwashkumar Ramesh
