The Air India crash has left the world in shock—only one of the 244 people on board survived.
Among those deeply moved was Thai singer Ruangsak “James” Loychusak, who survived a similar tragedy in 1998. Then 20, he was on Thai Airways flight TG261, which crashed while landing in Surat Thani, killing 101 of 146 people. Loychusak survived in seat 11A—the same seat occupied by the sole Air India survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.
“I got goosebumps,” Ruangsak said, recalling how his life changed after the crash. “For 10 years, flying terrified me. I avoided people, stared out the window, and panicked at the sight of storms.”
The Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed just after takeoff on its way to London. Ramesh, 40, was thrown from the aircraft when it broke apart and burst into flames. He recalled being next to the emergency door in seat 11A, which detached on impact.
“I don’t know how I survived,” he said. “I opened my eyes, undid my seatbelt, and ran.” His brother, also on board, is among the presumed dead.
Ramesh suffered burns and was hospitalized, but doctors say he’s out of danger. His story—and seat 11A—has struck a haunting chord with another survivor from decades ago.