Geoff Kitchen : “Singapore Arrival: Relieved Travellers Safe After Turbulence”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Singapore travel safety
2. Turbulence free Singapore flights

Officials gathered around the Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER airplane parked at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok on May 22, 2024. Rattled travellers and crew landed in Singapore after a terrifying high-altitude plunge on a flight from London, resulting in an elderly passenger’s death and over 80 injuries. The flight hit sudden extreme turbulence over Myanmar, causing chaos in the cabin at 11,300 meters. The emergency landing in Bangkok led to medical staff treating the injured. A relief flight landed in Singapore, with passengers too shaken to talk. Investigations are ongoing, with experts warning about the dangers of clear air turbulence due to climate change.

Officials gather around the Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER airplane at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok

Travellers and crew on a Singapore Airlines flight experienced a terrifying ordeal as they landed in Singapore after a harrowing high-altitude plunge on a journey from London. The incident occurred over Myanmar during the flight, causing chaos and leaving one elderly passenger dead and over 80 others injured.

Chaos at 37,000 feet

Passengers on Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 were shocked when the aircraft hit “sudden extreme turbulence” 10 hours into the journey. The plane abruptly rose and plunged multiple times, causing people to be thrown around the cabin violently. The turbulence was so severe that it left dents in the ceiling at an altitude of 11,300 metres (37,000 feet), resulting in numerous head injuries among the passengers.

Inside the cabin, the scene was one of chaos, with food, drinks bottles, and luggage strewn about. Oxygen masks dangled from the ceiling as the aircraft navigated the turbulent skies.

Emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport

With 211 passengers and 18 crew members on board, the Singapore Airlines flight made an emergency landing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. Medical staff were on standby to assist the injured passengers, using gurneys to transport them to waiting ambulances on the tarmac.

Tragically, a 73-year-old British man lost his life in the incident, while 71 people were rushed to Bangkok’s Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital for treatment, with six of them sustaining serious injuries. In total, 83 passengers and crew members were reported to have been injured during the turbulent flight.

Relief and Reunion in Singapore

A relief flight carrying 131 passengers and 12 crew members safely landed at Singapore’s Changi Airport the following morning. Anxious relatives greeted the arrivals with hugs, relieved to see their loved ones unharmed but too shaken to speak to the awaiting reporters.

Andrew Davies, a British passenger on board the Boeing 777-300ER, recounted the terrifying experience, describing how the plane “suddenly dropped” with minimal warning. He detailed the chaos and injuries inside the cabin, including assisting a woman who was in agony with a head gash.

Investigations and Concerns

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased passenger, Geoff Kitchen, a musical theatre director from near Bristol. Investigators from Singapore are collaborating with Thai authorities to determine the cause of the incident.

With a majority of the passengers being Australians, British, and Singaporeans, concerns have been raised about passenger safety and response to in-flight emergencies. Experts caution that passengers should remain vigilant and follow safety protocols, especially during turbulent conditions.

As families reunite and investigators delve into the details of the turbulent flight, the aviation industry faces renewed scrutiny regarding passenger safety and the impact of climate change on air travel.