A 73-year-old British man, identified as Geoffrey Ralph Kitchen, was killed on a flight from London to Singapore.
The Singapore Airlines flight, which was carrying 229 people, plunged 7,000ft in just six minutes after experiencing severe turbulence over the west coast of Burma.
Mr Kitchen is believed to have suffered a heart attack during the incident (Picture: Viralpress)
Mr Kitchen is believed to have suffered a heart attack during the incident (Picture: Viralpress)
Mr Kitchen is believed to have suffered a heart attack after being hurled from side to side during the ordeal. He was pronounced dead at the scene after the plane made an emergency landing in Thailand.
Seventy-one passengers have been admitted to the hospital with various injuries, with seven people in critical condition.
The flight, which took off from Heathrow just after 10 pm yesterday, encountered severe turbulence 11 hours into the 13-hour journey.
The Boeing 777-300ER was forced to divert to Bangkok, where ambulances were pictured waiting.
Passenger Dzafran Azmir, 28, described the harrowing experience: “Suddenly, the aircraft started tilting up, and there was shaking, so I started bracing for what was happening. Suddenly, there was a dramatic drop, and everyone seated and not wearing seatbelts was launched immediately into the ceiling.”
“Some people hit their heads on the baggage cabins overhead and dented it. They hit the places where lights and masks are and broke straight through it,” Azmir added.
Kittipong Kittikachorn, the general manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, said most people suffered injuries to their heads.
He stated: “The wife of the deceased passenger is at the hospital now. Many passengers couldn’t walk and had to be rescued from the aircraft. Some people with minor injuries have already left the hospital, ready to travel back to Singapore.”
Mr Kittikachorn added that passengers were wearing their seatbelts as the turbulence hit.
Singapore Airlines commented on the incident: “Singapore Airlines flight #SQ321, operating from London (Heathrow) to Singapore on 20 May 2024, encountered severe turbulence en route. We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board. Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. We are working with the local authorities in Thailand to provide the necessary medical assistance and are sending a team to Bangkok to provide any additional assistance needed.”
According to flight tracker Flightradar24, the aircraft registered 9V-SWM, fell from 38,000ft to 31,000ft over Meinmadaung on the west coast of Burma.
There were a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew members on board. The plane landed at 3:45 pm local time (8:00 am GMT).
Singapore’s Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat expressed his condolences: “I am deeply saddened to learn about the incident onboard Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London Heathrow to Singapore. My deepest condolences to the family of the deceased.”
This tragic incident is not isolated. In December, 11 passengers on a flight to Manchester Airport were injured after severe turbulence struck the aircraft as it set off from Barbados. The pilot was forced to divert the flight to Bermuda due to the passengers’ injuries.
In June, five crew members were hurt after terrifying turbulence hit a packed British Airways flight at 30,000ft. One of the in-flight staff needed surgery, another suffered a concussion and a dislocated ankle, and another required an MRI scan on a severely bruised hip.
The incident highlights the unpredictable nature of severe turbulence and its potential consequences. Air travel authorities and airlines continuously strive to improve safety measures to protect passengers and crew during unexpected events.
