Singer who survived plane crash shares chilling connection to Air India tragedy

When Thai singer Ruangsak Loychusak saw the news about the recent Air India crash, one detail left him shaken—both he and the only survivor of that crash had been sitting in the same seat: 11A.

The Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed shortly after takeoff, killing 243 of the 244 people on board. The sole survivor, 40-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh from Leicester, England, was sitting next to the emergency exit in seat 11A—exactly where Loychusak had been when he survived a similar crash over two decades ago.

“It gave me goosebumps,” says singer who lived through 1998 Thai Airways crash

Loychusak, now 47, survived Thai Airways Flight TG261, which crashed into a swamp in 1998 while attempting to land in Surat Thani. Of the 146 people on board, 101 lost their lives.

“I still remember it all—the sounds, the smells, even the taste of the swamp water,” Loychusak said. “When I heard that the Indian crash survivor was also in seat 11A, it gave me goosebumps. It felt too familiar.”

He didn’t keep his original ticket, but news reports at the time confirmed his seat number. “It’s something I could never forget,” he said.

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After the 1998 crash, Loychusak says he struggled with deep fear and anxiety for years. “I couldn’t fly for a decade. I’d feel like I couldn’t breathe, even with normal air,” he shared.

He described how flying again brought back memories he couldn’t shake. “If I saw dark clouds, I felt like I was back in that moment. I never talked about it—I kept it all inside.”

Air India crash survivor speaks: “I don’t know how I lived”

The recent crash left Vishwash Kumar Ramesh in shock. He said the plane suddenly lost control and split apart before hitting a building. His seatbelt saved him, and he escaped with burns and bruises.

“When I opened my eyes, I couldn’t believe I was still alive,” he said. “Two crew members died right in front of me.”

Footage of Ramesh limping away from the wreckage quickly spread online. His brother was also on the flight and is among those missing.

“There were bodies everywhere. I was scared and confused. Someone helped me into an ambulance,” he recalled.

While Loychusak and Ramesh come from different countries and faced different crashes, their shared seat number and survival stories form a powerful bond. Both know what it feels like to stare death in the face—and walk away.

“I offer my deepest sympathy to the families of the victims,” said Loychusak. “I know how long the pain stays with you.”

Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this terrible event.