Nearly a month after the tragic Air India plane crash on June 12, the lone survivor, Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, continues to grapple with the emotional and psychological aftermath of the horrifying incident. The 40-year-old British citizen of Indian origin, who miraculously escaped the crash, is currently undergoing treatment and seeking psychiatric support to recover from the trauma.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, en route to London from Ahmedabad, crashed just seconds after takeoff, claiming the lives of all passengers and crew on board—except one. Vishwas Kumar emerged as the sole survivor of the crash that shook the nation and raised serious concerns about flight safety.

Still Haunted by the Night of June 12

According to close family members, Vishwas has not yet come to terms with the accident. His cousin revealed that he rarely speaks and wakes up in the middle of the night, shaken by nightmares and memories of the crash.

“He still doesn’t talk much. He’s taking professional help, but the trauma is deep. Losing his brother in the same accident has only made things worse,” said the cousin.

Vishwas lost his younger brother in the incident, adding another layer of grief to his already fragile state. The emotional burden of being the only one who survived, while watching a loved one perish, has created a psychological storm that’s difficult to navigate.

The Crash: A Timeline of Tragedy

The incident occurred on June 12, 2025, when Air India Flight AI-221, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, took off from Ahmedabad International Airport with 181 passengers and 12 crew members onboard. The flight was bound for London Heathrow and was expected to be a routine transcontinental journey.

However, within seconds of takeoff, the aircraft lost altitude and crashed just outside the airport perimeter. Investigations are still ongoing, but preliminary reports point toward a possible technical malfunction, possibly linked to engine failure or a control system error.

The horrifying part? Only one person survived—Vishwas Kumar—seated on the left side of the rear cabin. He was rescued by emergency response teams and immediately rushed to a hospital with multiple injuries but stable vitals.

A Miraculous Survival, But at a High Cost

Though doctors have declared Vishwas “physically out of danger,” the mental scars are far from healed. He often recalls the loud explosion, the burning cabin, and the moments where he clung to life among the debris.

Surviving such a disaster has left him emotionally paralyzed, and according to family sources, he is currently avoiding public appearances and remains isolated even among close relatives.

“He often asks why he survived when everyone else, including his brother, did not. There’s a deep survivor’s guilt he’s struggling with,” said a relative on condition of anonymity.

Family’s Support, But an Uncertain Road to Recovery

His family is doing everything they can to support him. Psychiatric counseling, therapy sessions, and spiritual support have been initiated to help Vishwas gradually reclaim a sense of normalcy. But mental health experts say the journey is a long one, and PTSD symptoms—like anxiety, depression, and recurring nightmares—can persist for years.

A close friend of the family added, “He’s not ready to return to work or travel again. We’ve been advised not to rush him. The trauma he’s carrying can’t be healed overnight.”

Investigation into the Crash Still Ongoing

As the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) continues its probe into the crash, questions remain unanswered. The black box has been retrieved and sent for forensic analysis in France, where aviation safety teams are examining the final minutes before the aircraft’s failure.

Industry experts are pressing for transparency, especially considering the model involved—Boeing 787 Dreamliner—which has previously been under scrutiny for various technical issues, including battery malfunctions and software glitches.

Air India, in a brief statement, said:

“We are cooperating fully with the investigation and have extended full support to the survivor and the families of those who perished in the unfortunate event.”

Public Outcry Over Aviation Safety

The crash has sparked renewed debates on aviation safety protocols, especially concerning aircraft maintenance and pre-flight inspections. Many passengers, frequent flyers, and aviation watchdogs are calling for tighter safety regulations and real-time monitoring systems to avoid such disasters in the future.

Civil aviation minister Rajiv Kapoor has promised a “comprehensive overhaul” of domestic flight safety practices and said that “accountability will be ensured.”

Who Is Vishwas Kumar?

A 40-year-old IT professional, Vishwas was residing in the UK for the past 12 years. He had come to India on a personal visit to attend a family wedding and was returning to London with his brother when tragedy struck. Friends describe him as a quiet, composed individual with a strong sense of family.

Ironically, he had earlier posted on social media about how excited he was to return home and resume work. That post has now become a heartbreaking memory for those who knew him.

Hope Amidst Despair

While the loss of 192 lives in the crash remains an unspeakable tragedy, Vishwas’s survival is seen by many as nothing short of a miracle. Mental health professionals emphasize that recovery is possible, but it requires time, patience, and consistent support from loved ones.

“Survivors of such incidents carry a lifelong burden. But with empathy, clinical help, and time, they can find ways to live again,” said a psychiatrist involved in his care.

The June 12 Air India crash remains a grim chapter in Indian aviation history. Vishwas Kumar’s story is a chilling reminder of how thin the line is between life and death—and how surviving doesn’t always mean healing.

As investigations continue and families grieve, the story of the lone survivor serves as a beacon of both tragedy and resilience. It urges the aviation industry, policy-makers, and the public to take mental health and passenger safety more seriously than ever before.