British sole survivor of Air India plane crash reunited with family

The British man who was the miraculous sole survivor of the Air India plane crash had an emotional reunion with his family after they flew out from the UK to be at his hospital bedside.

Vishwashkumar Ramesh, 40 is being treated at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, just a short distance from where the Gatwick bound flight crashed into buildings.

His parents, Manibhai and Bava, wife Hiral and two brothers, Sunnykumar and Nayankumar arrived in the city late on Saturday night and were taken under police escort straight to the hospital where they spent more than an hour comforting him.

His brother Ajay, who was seated across the aisle from him is believed to have been killed in last Thursday's crash.

Vikramkumar, a cousin of both men revealed: 'As you can imagine it was very emotional and there were a lot of tears because this was the first time they were seeing him, but they are also mourning the loss of their son.

'Their mother was inconsolable, this has hit her really hard. She's been crying a lot for Ajay who she was very close to.

'The family plan to stay in India until they can perform his last rites and until Vikramkumar is discharged, which we are hoping will be very soon.'

He revealed that the family are staying at a secret location and are being supported by members of the extended family who live in India.

Vikramkumar added: 'It is a very strange time for them. On one hand they are happy that one of their son's survived but on the other, they are heartbroken at the loss of Ajay.

'We are a very big and close family so we are doing all we can to support them.'

Indian officials said that a DNA sample had been taken from Mr Ramesh to help identify his brother and that they hope to hand over his body to the family by Tuesday at the latest.

Mr Ramesh is also expected to be discharged from hospital at around the same time after sustaining only minor injuries in the crash.