Mangalore, Aug 30 (DHNS): The haunting memories of the May 22 Air India Express mishap might have faded away from the minds of the eight survivors and all those who were engaged in the rescue operations. but the disaster still gives nightmares to one person: the Mangalore Airport runway bird chaser.

So deep run the mental scars that he requires another six months of counselling to recover bounce back to normalcy.

On that fateful day, Mohammed Akbar Sadiq (20)was clearing the runway after chasing away birds. He had reached the airport at 5:30 in the morning and was one of the first to witness the unfolding horror. It was he who informed the airport authorities about the crash. He reached the spot in quick time with four fire brigades. He pulled out a child, which was hovering between life and death from the crashed plane and carried it to an ambulance.

Later, when he was trying to remove a body from the site, the half- burnt flesh splashed on his face leaving him breathless. He was taken to the airport for first aid. But soon he was back to the spot and joined the rescue operation.

This time he fainted at the crash site and  recovered after being given oxygen. Despite the trauma, he continued to lend a helping hand.

The death and mayhem affected his mind badly. From the very next day, he stopped eating non-vegetarian food and the energetic young became partially numb.

He could not work on the runway. A few days later, he was admitted to the Highlands Hospital in the City for treatment under psychiatrist Dr Kiran Kumar.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Dr Kumar said Sadiq was showing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. “He was under medication for five days in the hospital. Now, he needs psychological counselling for at least six months to get back to normalcy,”he said.

Sadiq, who is undergoing routine counselling, said: “I am ok now. They (Air India) helped me a lot and paid all my hospital expenses.”