One dead, 8 Aussies injured after ‘severe turbulence’ on Singapore Airlines flight from London

A UK man died and eight Australians are among dozens injured after severe turbulence forced a Singapore Airlines flight to make an emergency landing in Bangkok.

A British man has died and at least eight Australians were among dozens seriously injured when a Singapore Airlines flight suddenly plunged after hitting turbulence in Thai airspace.

Singapore Airlines flight 321 fell 6000ft in just five minutes, 11 hours out from London and nearing its destination of Singapore, sending passengers, food and drink flying.

The British Foreign office has named the man, who died of a heart attack, as 73-year-old Geoffrey Ralph Kitchen. His wife of 50 years, Linda, was travelling with him and has been taken to a Bangkok hospital for treatment. The Bangkok Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital said 71 people had arrived off the flight for treatment, including six people who have serious injuries.

Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil confirmed eight Australians were in hospital in Bangkok being treated for various injuries. They were among the 56 Australians on board, most heading for Sydney and other Australian capital cities with connections in the Singapore hub.

There were also 23 New Zealanders.

Kittipong Kittikachorn, director of Suvarnabhumi Airport, speaks during a news conference at the airport in Bangkok. Picture: AFP.

Australia had the most passengers, followed by 47 British passengers and 41 people from Singapore.

A passenger on board the flight described the chaos, distress and “awful experience” after the Boeing 777-300ER ”just dropped”, seconds after the seat belt sign came on.

Andrew Davies, a London events manager posted on X: “People’s belongings scattered, coffee and water splattered the ceiling. Surreal. So many injured people. head lacerations, bleeding ears. A lady was screaming in pain with a bad back. I couldn’t help her – just got her water.”

Mr Davies said he shouted for a defibrillator for Mr Kitchen and people with medical training attended, giving CPR. He said another passenger was “laid flat in the aisle further behind me” and wasn’t sure what their injuries were.

He said: “Lots of people injured – including the air stewards who were stoic and did everything they could. Bangkok emergency services quick to respond. Very little warning. The seatbelt sign came on, I put on my seatbelt straightaway then the plane just dropped.”

Mr Davies added that he wished he could have done more. Passengers were disembarked into a holding pen at the Bangkok airport.

“Those not injured (including me) are in a holding area at Bangkok airport. My heart goes out to the gentleman who lost his life and his poor wife. Awful experience.”

The airline made a social media post at about 6pm Tuesday evening Singapore time confirming the incident and said they had “encountered severe turbulence en-route”.

The aftermath of the severe turbulence.

They did not confirm how many were injured, nor did they detail the nature of the turbulence that caused the passenger’s death.

“Singapore Airlines flight #SQ321, operating from London (Heathrow) to Singapore on 20 May 2024, encountered severe turbulence en-route,” the airline said in a statement.

“The aircraft diverted to Bangkok and landed at 1545hrs local time on 21 May 2024.

“We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing 777-300ER. There were a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew on board.

Food and cutlery strewn across the galley kitchen of the plane. Picture: Twitter

It is not yet known whether Australians were on board or the nationality of the deceased passenger.

Singapore Airlines said 18 people on the flight have been admitted to hospital, indicating more serious injuries, while another 12 are being treated at a hospital. Remaining passengers and crew are being examined and treated if required, at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok.

The airline has set up a hotline for relatives seeking information at [phone].

In a statement on Tuesday evening the airline said: “Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. We deeply apologise for the traumatic experience that our passengers and crew members suffered on this flight. We are providing all necessary assistance during this difficult time.”