Fact Check: "Emergency responder had no idea he saved the crash's only survivor."
What We Know
On June 12, 2025, an Air India passenger plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 270 lives, with only one survivor, Vishwashkumar Ramesh. Ramesh's brother, Ajay, was also on the flight and did not survive. In the aftermath of the crash, Ramesh attempted to return to the wreckage to find his brother, demonstrating the chaos and confusion surrounding the incident (BBC).
One of the first responders, ambulance driver Satinder Singh Sandhu, was seen guiding Ramesh to safety amidst the flames and smoke. Sandhu later stated that he had no idea who he was helping at the time and only learned later from the news that Ramesh was the sole survivor of the crash (AP News).
Analysis
The claim that the emergency responder had no idea he saved the crash's only survivor is corroborated by multiple sources. Sandhu, who was on-site during the rescue, confirmed that he was focused on performing his duties and did not recognize Ramesh as the survivor until he saw the news later that day. This statement is supported by Ramesh's own account of trying to return to the wreckage to find his brother, which indicates his disorientation and shock following the crash (BBC, Yahoo News).
The reliability of these sources is high, as they include direct quotes from the involved parties and are reported by established news organizations. The BBC and AP News are reputable outlets known for their journalistic integrity and fact-checking standards. The accounts provided are consistent with the chaotic nature of emergency response situations, where responders often focus on immediate actions rather than identifying victims (Washington Post).
Conclusion
The claim that the emergency responder had no idea he saved the crash's only survivor is True. The evidence from credible sources confirms that Satinder Singh Sandhu was unaware of Ramesh's identity during the rescue and only learned of his status as the sole survivor later through news reports. This aligns with the chaotic circumstances of the crash and the immediate focus on rescue efforts.
