In the eerie silence that followed chaos, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh found himself alone among the wreckage of Air India Express Flight IX 1344. The 27-year-old software engineer from Bangalore had just become the sole survivor of one of India’s most devastating aviation disasters in recent years.
“The last thing I remember was the violent shaking. Then darkness,” Ramesh told me during our exclusive interview at Kerala’s Medical College Hospital. His voice remained steady despite the bandages covering 40% of his body – a testament to both medical intervention and what doctors are calling “miraculous fortune.”
The Boeing 737 aircraft, carrying 191 passengers and crew, attempted to land at Kozhikode International Airport during torrential monsoon rains last Friday. According to preliminary investigations from India’s Civil Aviation Authority, the plane skidded off the tabletop runway, plummeting nearly 35 meters into a gorge before breaking into two pieces and erupting in flames.
“I was seated near the emergency exit. When I regained consciousness, everything around me was burning,” Ramesh explained. “Something inside told me to move quickly. I unbuckled my seatbelt and crawled through what looked like a small opening in the fuselage.”
Aviation safety experts from CO24 World News have highlighted the unusual nature of Ramesh’s survival. Dr. Anjali Sharma, an aviation disaster specialist, noted: “In catastrophic crashes with fire involvement, survival often depends on seat location, immediate consciousness after impact, and split-second decisions. Mr. Ramesh’s experience combines all three factors in an extraordinary way.”
What makes Ramesh’s story particularly remarkable is that he managed to escape despite suffering multiple fractures to his legs and severe burns. Rescue workers found him nearly 20 meters from the wreckage, having dragged himself away from the intensifying flames.
“I kept thinking about my parents, my fiancée Priya. Something wouldn’t let me give up,” he said, tears finally breaking through his composed demeanor. “I could hear explosions behind me. I just kept moving until I couldn’t anymore.”
The crash has prompted renewed scrutiny of India’s aviation safety protocols, particularly regarding tabletop runways – elevated airstrips with steep drops on either side that leave minimal margin for error during difficult weather conditions. According to CO24 News investigations, Kozhikode’s runway has been flagged in safety audits dating back to 2011.
Dr. Manisha Patel, head of the medical team treating Ramesh, expressed cautious optimism about his recovery: “While his physical injuries are severe, we’re equally concerned about potential psychological trauma. Survivor’s guilt can be devastating in single-survivor scenarios.”
For the families of the 190 victims, Ramesh has become a complex symbol – both a reminder of unimaginable loss and a fragile embodiment of hope. Several families have requested meetings once his condition stabilizes.
“I don’t know why I survived when others didn’t,” Ramesh whispered as our interview concluded. “But I promise to honor their memories by making every day count.”
Air India has announced comprehensive compensation packages for victims’ families, though several CO24 Business analysts have questioned whether the amounts reflect the full scope of the tragedy. Meanwhile, India’s Minister for Civil Aviation has ordered a complete safety review of all similar airports across the country.
As investigators continue piecing together the final moments of Flight IX 1344, one question lingers in the aftermath of this tragedy: Will Ramesh’s extraordinary survival story finally prompt the systemic changes needed to prevent similar disasters in the future?
