Alive by chance, shattered by fate: AI crash sole survivor Viswash still struggling physically, psychologically and financially

TOI Correspondent from London: A year after limping out shell-shocked from the burning wreckage of the Air India Dreamliner (AI 171), the crash’s sole survivor, Viswashkumar Ramesh, is still struggling with physical pain, bereavement, financial difficulties and psychological problems.

After the crash, Viswashkumar (39) had returned to the UK on Sept 15 to be with his son, Divang, now five, who was starting school for the first time, and his wife, Hiral, and also to get medical treatment.

The media at the time made out he was the luckiest man alive. But it’s never felt like that to him. His younger brother, Ajay (35), died in the crash, along with all the other passengers and crew. Viswashkumar escaped because his seat, 11A, was next to an emergency exit.

“For me, the hardest thing is knowing that my brother isn’t here,” he told TOI from his two-bedroom terraced house in Leicester this week. “The anniversary is a reminder of that loss for all of us. As grateful as I am to be alive, a part of me was lost that day.”

Six months after the crash, Viswashkumar had relayed to TOI how he never left his room and did not really interact with his son, family or friends, or leave the house. One year on, he is still not able to take Divang to school or do the shopping. But there is a flicker of hope. Although he still suffers flashbacks and ruminates in his room, he is able to spend a little more time interacting with his family.

Sanjiv Patel, a Leicester-based executive coach, business adviser and Hindu community leader, has been Viswashkumar’s mentor from day one, helping him with paperwork, his legal battle and getting medical help as well as shielding him from the media. He does all this for free. Together they have instructed specialist law firm Hudgell Solicitors to represent his interests.

Viswashkumar has received £21,500 as interim compensation from Air India so far, Patel said. “We recently met with executives of Air India and the Tata Group on the lack of financial support so far; that was a constructive meeting. We are in ongoing discussions with Air India about the support and they have since we last spoke agreed, so far, to cover his private medical expenses. I was hoping for a whole blanket around the family to make sure they don’t have to worry about things on a day-to-day basis,” Patel said.

Viswashkumar met representatives of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch in Ahmedabad on March 29 this year. “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,” said Paul McClorry, of Hudgell Solicitors.

An Air India spokesperson said the airline “remains committed to supporting every individual impacted by the AI 171 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,” the spokesperson said.

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