Lone survivor Vladimir fighting for life at CMCH

Vladimir Koltunov, the lone survivor of the recent plane crash into the Bay of Bengal, is groaning in pain at Chittagong Medical College Hospital.

Yesterday, this correspondent found both of his legs bandaged and signs of injuries in his whole body. A nurse was dressing his wounds in the morning.

Vladimir was shifted to CMCH on Wednesday evening from a Cox's Bazar hospital. He was talking in a very weak and low voice.

A navigator by profession, Vladimir of Ukraine said he has been working for True Aviation Limited for three years and two months. "I don't know when will I come round and go back to my country, to my family," he said.

"I wish I could go back home at once but how could I?" Vladimir said showing the bandages.

Vladimir has his wife and three children in his country. "My wife and children are very anxious about me," he said, adding, "I talked to them over phone after the accident and told them not to be worried but my wife and children were crying."

Showing the attendants he said, "I have some very good friends here and I assured my family members that they need not come here."

Some staff of the aviation company and a volunteer Kaisar Hamid were seen taking care of him round the clock.

Kaisar, who hails from Cox's Bazar, said he had been serving people in hospitals voluntarily for five years.

Kaisar said Vladimir was supposed to be shifted to a Dhaka hospital today for better treatment. Doctors said he might need surgeries in the legs and they were waiting for the stability of the patient's health.

Dr Mishma Islam of the orthopedic ward said, "We cannot say he is out of danger at this moment."

Bound for Jessore, the aircraft of the aviation company carrying shrimp crashed into the bay near Sonadia island, about nine kilometres off Cox's Bazar coast on Wednesday, killing three of its four crew members and injuring Vladimir.