The Air India disaster that shocked the world in June has left a lone British survivor facing immense challenges.
Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old businessman from Leicester, miraculously escaped the crash that claimed 260 lives, but the trauma has left him too terrified to return to the UK, his family revealed.
Struggling to Come Home
Ramesh’s relatives say he is undergoing counselling in India and remains deeply shaken by the events.
His brother-in-law shared, “I think he will stay over there because he would be too frightened to get on a plane again.”
The devastating crash occurred just seconds after a Boeing 787 took off from Ahmedabad en route to Gatwick, killing 241 passengers on board, including 52 Britons, and another 19 people on the ground.
Miraculous Escape Amid Loss
Ramesh survived by crawling from his seat, 11A, despite suffering cuts to his face and serious chest injuries.
Tragically, his brother Ajay, 35, was among those who perished.
His wife, Hiral, and their four-year-old son flew to India to support him during recovery, though they have since returned to the UK. Hiral confirmed that Ramesh is still undergoing treatment.
Families Battle for Answers
Meanwhile, the aftermath of the crash has sparked outrage among bereaved families.
Many British relatives whose loved ones’ remains were mixed up or lost have criticized both the Foreign Office and Indian authorities for poor communication.
They have launched High Court action against Air India, demanding access to maintenance records, pilot medical files, and training records.
Investigating the Cause
While initial reports suggested pilot error, a US law firm claims the disaster may have been caused by an electrical failure following a water leak.
Mike Andrews from Beasley Allen Law Firm noted that the US Federal Aviation Administration had previously warned about water leaks on Boeing 787s affecting electronics due to improperly installed waterline couplings.
Ramesh reportedly observed flickering lights, hinting at electrical issues before the crash. Boeing has declined to comment.
Mistakes in Handling Victims’ Remains
Families have revealed heartbreaking errors in handling the victims’ remains.
Ashok and Shobhana Patel, aged 74 and 71, and Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek, 39, who died with her husband Jamie, 45, experienced distress when remains were mixed up or sent incorrectly.
The families claim they have received no apology and accuse both the Foreign Office and Indian authorities of abandoning them.
Letters to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and former Foreign Secretary David Lammy reportedly went unanswered.
What Happened on the Flight
The interim report from India’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch indicated that seconds after take-off, the plane’s fuel-control switches were moved to the “cut-off” position, starving the engines.
The voice recorder captured a pilot asking why the fuel supply was cut off, with the co-pilot denying any action.
With insufficient time to restart the engines, the plane crashed into a medical hostel.
Calls for Justice and Accountability
Relatives of the victims continue to press for transparency and justice, calling on authorities to properly investigate both the technical failures and the mishandling of remains.
The tragedy has left a lasting scar on survivors, families, and communities alike, with many still seeking answers and closure.