17-Year-Old Witness to Air India Express Crash Shares His Trauma: “I Can’t Sleep at Night”

A 17-year-old boy who captured the terrifying moment of the recent Air India Express crash on video has spoken publicly for the first time — and his emotional reaction offers a glimpse into the deep psychological impact such events can have, especially on young people.

Viral Video Shows Plane Bursting Into Flames

The teen, who remains unnamed for privacy reasons, was recording the plane as it attempted to land at Kozhikode International Airport in Kerala, India. Moments later, the aircraft veered off the runway and broke apart in what became one of the most harrowing aviation incidents in recent Indian history. His video quickly went viral, capturing the exact moment of the fiery explosion.

“I’m Scared Every Time I Hear a Plane”

In an interview with local media, the teenager described the lasting emotional impact of what he witnessed.

“Since that day, I can’t sleep properly. I feel scared every time I hear a plane flying overhead,” he said.

He added that while the video was widely shared across social media and news outlets, the attention brought him little comfort.

“People think going viral is exciting, but I just feel afraid.”

Trauma, Not Fame

Although some social media posts claimed the teen had “stopped using his phone entirely,” credible sources do not confirm this detail. What is confirmed, however, is that the boy has shown signs of emotional distress and has been interviewed by authorities as part of the official crash investigation.

Mental health professionals have since pointed out how secondary trauma — trauma experienced by witnessing or filming traumatic events — is becoming increasingly common in the digital age, especially among teens who use social media actively.

What Happened in the Crash?

Breaking news

A passenger plane bound for London crashed shortly after departing from Ahmedabad, India.

Reports indicate that there were 244 passengers on board at the time of the accident. pic.twitter.com/DlrZGGxU6w

— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) June 12, 2025

The Air India Express flight, operating under the Vande Bharat mission, overshot the runway during landing amid heavy rain and poor visibility. The aircraft broke into pieces after sliding off the tabletop runway, causing a major crash that killed multiple passengers and injured dozens.

Authorities have launched a full investigation into the cause of the accident, with preliminary findings pointing to weather conditions and approach angle as contributing factors.

A Reminder of the Human Side of Tragedy

While aviation incidents often focus on statistics, technical causes, or airline responsibility, the story of this 17-year-old reminds us that real people experience real trauma — sometimes simply by being in the wrong place at the right time with a camera in hand.

His experience has sparked conversations in India and beyond about mental health support for bystanders and witnesses, especially minors.