A tragic incident unfolded on Tuesday when a London to Singapore flight encountered severe turbulence, resulting in the death of a British man and critical injuries to seven other passengers. The man has been identified as 73-year-old Geoffrey Ralph Kitchen, a respected theatre director from south Gloucestershire.
Flight Details
The Singapore Airlines flight SQ321, a Boeing 777-300ER, was en route from London Heathrow to Singapore when it encountered turbulence. The incident forced the plane to divert to Bangkok, Thailand, at 3:45 PM local time (9:45 AM UK time).
Onboard Experience
Passenger Andrew Davies, a businessman, described the harrowing experience. “About six or seven hours into the flight, I was watching a film when the seatbelt sign came on. Within seconds of fastening my seatbelt, there was a sudden thud,” he recounted. Passenger belongings, including cushions, pillows, blankets, and laptops, were sent flying around the cabin.
Despite the chaos, Mr. Davies praised the cabin crew’s resilience. “Even those who were injured continued to assist passengers. Their dedication was impressive,” he said.
Fatal Outcome
Geoffrey Ralph Kitchen tragically lost his life during the turbulence. The general manager of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport reported that the cause of death was likely a heart attack.
Singapore Airlines’ Response
Singapore Airlines expressed condolences to the deceased’s family and confirmed that a total of 18 people had been hospitalised. The airline is working closely with local authorities in Thailand to provide medical assistance to passengers and crew members.
Emergency crews from Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, located approximately 12 miles from Suvarnabhumi Airport, were on-site to transfer injured passengers from Flight SQ321 for treatment.
