A 40-year-old British citizen, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, is the sole survivor of a tragic Air India crash that killed 241 people just moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India. The London-bound flight, carrying 242 passengers and crew, went down seconds after leaving the runway, slamming into a nearby medical college in a fiery explosion.

Ramesh, who was seated in 11A, said the crash happened almost instantly. “Thirty seconds after takeoff there was a loud noise, and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly,” he told The Hindustan Times from his hospital bed in Ahmedabad.

Ramesh, a UK resident for the past 20 years, had been visiting family in India and was on his way back to England. His brother, Nayan Kumar Ramesh, speaking from their home in Leicester, said the family is in shock. “He said: ‘I have no idea how I exited the plane,’” Nayan said. “We’re just devastated.”

Ramesh reportedly sustained multiple injuries but is now in stable condition. Dr. Dhaval Gameti, one of the physicians treating him, said he was disoriented but out of immediate danger.

Initial reports had declared there were no survivors. However, police later confirmed Ramesh had been pulled from the wreckage alive. Videos from the crash site show a massive explosion and thick smoke billowing from the scene. The investigation is ongoing.