The tragedy of the Air India plane crash that occurred last week continues to cast a shadow over families and communities, particularly in the town of Diu, India, where a funeral was held for one of the victims. Among the mourners was 40-year-old Vishwashkumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of the horrific crash that claimed the lives of 270 people, including his brother, Ajay. Despite his own injuries, Ramesh was one of the pallbearers for his brother’s coffin, a heartbreaking moment that displayed both immense strength and deep sorrow.
The crash, which took place on Thursday, June 12, 2025, saw the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash seconds after taking off from the western Indian city of Ahmedabad. The flight was heading to London, but it tragically never made it. The crash, which also led to the deaths of nearly 30 people on the ground after the plane plummeted and struck a doctor’s hostel, has left families in shock and disbelief. However, Ramesh’s survival, against all odds, has both stunned the public and raised questions about how he managed to escape the wreckage.
As Ramesh helped carry his brother’s coffin to the crematorium in Diu, his arm and face still covered in white bandages, the grief was palpable. Despite spending most of the past five days in a hospital receiving treatment for burns and injuries sustained in the crash, Ramesh, with incredible resolve, took part in the heartbreaking ritual. His actions, though filled with sorrow, revealed the depth of his love for his family, particularly his brother, whom he had hoped to rescue during the chaos of the crash.
The details surrounding the crash remain under investigation, with authorities still trying to determine the exact cause of the disaster. While Ramesh’s survival has been deemed miraculous, it is still unclear how he managed to escape the wreckage, particularly after he reportedly attempted to return to the burning plane to search for his brother. In a new video that emerged earlier this week, ambulance driver Satinder Singh Sandhu was seen guiding Ramesh away from the site of the crash, with thick smoke and flames billowing in the background.
Sandhu, who had been with the emergency ambulance services in Ahmedabad for many years, initially did not recognize Ramesh as the lone survivor of the crash. He was simply focused on his job and helping the injured. When he first arrived at the crash site, he believed the incident might have been a car accident or a gas cylinder explosion. However, upon realizing it was a plane crash, Sandhu immediately sprang into action. He recalled seeing Ramesh emerge from the wreckage, badly injured, but determined to search for his brother. Despite his injuries, Ramesh kept trying to go back to the scene, repeatedly attempting to return to the crash site in search of Ajay.
“I had no idea who he was when I first saw him,” Sandhu later told BBC Gujarati. “He was just another victim in need of help. But when I found out who he was, and that he had survived, it was truly unbelievable.”
Sandhu recounted how Ramesh had been in a state of shock, unable to comprehend the enormity of the situation. “He had no idea what he was doing. He kept going in and out of the complex, and we had to stop him and drag him to safety,” said Sandhu. “When he told me his relative was trapped inside the wreckage, I couldn’t say anything. We just got him to an ambulance, so he could receive medical care.”
Ramesh himself later spoke to India’s DD News about the surreal moment when he realized he was alive. “For a moment, I felt like I was going to die too, but when I opened my eyes and looked around, I realized I was alive. I still can’t believe how I survived. I walked out of the rubble.” The emotions of the survivor were evident as he tried to process the devastation around him, feeling an overwhelming sense of disbelief at his miraculous survival.
The cause of the crash remains a mystery, and investigators are working tirelessly to piece together the events that led to the disaster. Officials have recovered the plane’s black box, including the cockpit voice and flight data recorders, which will be crucial in determining what went wrong during the flight. While authorities continue to analyze the data, there are no official reports yet on the exact cause of the crash. However, the investigation is focused on understanding what led to the tragedy, particularly after the plane’s departure from Ahmedabad.
Ramesh’s ordeal has brought attention to the heroic efforts of first responders like Satinder Singh Sandhu, who worked under difficult and chaotic conditions to rescue survivors and provide immediate assistance. The video footage of Sandhu guiding Ramesh to safety has captivated many, showcasing not only the resilience of the human spirit but also the dedication of emergency personnel in times of crisis. Sandhu’s actions in helping Ramesh escape the flames and smoke are now part of the story of survival, one that continues to unfold in the aftermath of the crash.
As Ramesh and his family lay Ajay to rest in the town of Diu, the small town, which had already lost 14 of its own in the crash, stands united in mourning. While the immediate focus is on the families who lost loved ones, the sense of community remains strong as the grieving process begins. Residents of the area have come together to offer support to the survivors and to share in the collective grief that has affected so many.
Ramesh’s survival has sparked discussions about the psychological toll that such tragedies take on survivors. The trauma of witnessing the deaths of loved ones, particularly a sibling, is a heavy burden to carry, and it will take time for Ramesh to heal, both physically and emotionally. The families affected by the crash face long journeys ahead as they process their grief and loss.
For now, the focus is on honoring the lives lost in the crash and ensuring that the survivors receive the care and support they need in the coming months. The resilience of the human spirit, as demonstrated by Ramesh’s miraculous survival, serves as a poignant reminder of the strength that can emerge in the face of unfathomable tragedy.
As investigations continue and the families begin to heal, the community remains focused on remembering the victims of the crash and ensuring that their legacies are honored. For Ramesh, his journey of recovery, both physical and emotional, will continue as he moves forward with the memory of his brother, Ajay, and the lives lost that fateful day.
Rest in peace to all those who perished in the crash, and may their families find comfort and strength in the days ahead.
