British grandfather died on Singapore Airlines flight
British grandfather on Singapore Airlines flight.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : The tragic incident involving the British man who passed away on a flight from London to Singapore has been identified as Geoffrey Kitchen, a respected musical theatre director from Gloucestershire. The 73-year-old grandfather is said to have suffered a suspected heart attack while on board the Singapore Airlines flight.
The flight, carrying 211 passengers, including 56 Australians, and 18 crew members, was en route from London’s Heathrow Airport to Singapore when it encountered severe turbulence. This unexpected turbulence prompted the pilots to make an emergency landing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, where the extent of the injuries became apparent.
Among the passengers injured was Kitchen’s wife, Linda, who was reportedly transferred to a hospital in an unknown condition. The couple had been embarking on a six-week holiday in South-East Asia before continuing their journey to Australia. Tributes have since poured in from the Thornbury Musical Theatre group, describing Geoffrey Kitchen as a “really nice guy.”
7NEWS UK correspondent, Hugh Whitfeld, provided an update on the incident during Sunrise, highlighting the chaos that ensued on the flight. Reports indicated that more than 70 individuals required hospital treatment in Bangkok, with seven people listed as critically injured. Passengers and crew members attempted to revive Kitchen with CPR, but unfortunately, their efforts were in vain.
The turbulence, which occurred over the Irrawaddy Basin in Myanmar, resulted in the aircraft plummeting nearly 2000m in just three minutes. The sudden drop in altitude caused passengers without seatbelts to hit the ceiling of the cabin, damaging the plane’s interior.
Singapore Airlines expressed its deepest condolences to Kitchen’s family and apologised for the harrowing experience endured by passengers and crew members. The airline acknowledged the trauma caused by the incident and assured that the safety and well-being of passengers remain a top priority.
The sudden and tragic loss of Geoffrey Kitchen has deeply saddened the musical theatre community and his loved ones. As investigations into the incident continue, the aviation industry will undoubtedly review safety protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future..
1. British grandfather dies on Singapore Airlines flight
2. 73-year-old man identified as British grandfather who died on Singapore Airlines flight.
