Inside Singapore Airlines flight where horror turbulence killed Brit
![When Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 departed on Monday night, the people on board were starting what they hoped would be a dream trip. A total of 211 passengers from countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Ireland settled down for a stress-free 13-hour flight to the Far East. Among them was 73-year-old Geoffrey Kitchen (pictured bottom right), a musical theatre director from Gloucestershire who was taking the six-week holiday of a lifetime with his wife Linda to South East Asia, Indonesia and Australia.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/22/09/85165623-0-image-a-16_1716367623917.jpg)
When Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 departed on Monday night, the people on board were starting what they hoped would be a dream trip. A total of 211 passengers from countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Ireland settled down for a stress-free 13-hour flight to the Far East. Among them was 73-year-old Geoffrey Kitchen (pictured bottom right), a musical theatre director from Gloucestershire who was taking the six-week holiday of a lifetime with his wife Linda to South East Asia, Indonesia and Australia.
![The route is a common one, with flights making the near-11,000-mile journey safely every single day, despite skirting near active war zones and flying over some of the world's biggest mountain ranges. All appeared well when the Boeing 777 aircraft left Heathrow Airport at 10.38pm, quickly passing over English Channel and through Europe on its way to Singapore.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/22/09/85151147-0-image-a-18_1716367663480.jpg)
The route is a common one, with flights making the near-11,000-mile journey safely every single day, despite skirting near active war zones and flying over some of the world's biggest mountain ranges. All appeared well when the Boeing 777 aircraft left Heathrow Airport at 10.38pm, quickly passing over English Channel and through Europe on its way to Singapore.
![Many of those on board will have rested their eyes and tried to get to some sleep as the plane travelled through Asia, traversing the Hindu Kush mountain range with little problem before moving down into India. Some would have been opening their eyes for the first time as the plane travelled over the Bay of Bengal, while others were walking about the cabin to stretch their legs. However, their relaxing journey was about to turn into a nightmare after 11 hours in the air. At around 3.30pm local time, the plane suddenly lurched as it hit an area of severe turbulence as it travelled through an area of strong thunderstorms in the skies over Myanmar.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/22/09/85144957-0-image-a-19_1716367681782.jpg)
Many of those on board will have rested their eyes and tried to get to some sleep as the plane travelled through Asia, traversing the Hindu Kush mountain range with little problem before moving down into India. Some would have been opening their eyes for the first time as the plane travelled over the Bay of Bengal, while others were walking about the cabin to stretch their legs. However, their relaxing journey was about to turn into a nightmare after 11 hours in the air. At around 3.30pm local time, the plane suddenly lurched as it hit an area of severe turbulence as it travelled through an area of strong thunderstorms in the skies over Myanmar.
![Some passengers said they realised the plane had started to tilt upwards, with the fuselage trembling under the conditions outside, although it was slight enough that not all on board noticed it. It is claimed the fasten seatbelt sign had not been switched on and some people were still standing in the aisle - one traveller is even believed to have been in the toilet. Others claimed the signal had been illuminated, but only moments before the plan was engulfed in chaos as the aircraft dropped without warning. Passengers who did not have their seatbelts on, or had the bad fortune to be stood up at the time, were thrown upwards into the cabin's ceiling with horrific force.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/22/09/85151039-0-image-a-21_1716367714054.jpg)
Some passengers said they realised the plane had started to tilt upwards, with the fuselage trembling under the conditions outside, although it was slight enough that not all on board noticed it. It is claimed the fasten seatbelt sign had not been switched on and some people were still standing in the aisle - one traveller is even believed to have been in the toilet. Others claimed the signal had been illuminated, but only moments before the plan was engulfed in chaos as the aircraft dropped without warning. Passengers who did not have their seatbelts on, or had the bad fortune to be stood up at the time, were thrown upwards into the cabin's ceiling with horrific force.
![Luggage came crashing out of the overhead lockers, slamming onto people's heads below, while loose objects like water bottles, food trays and cutlery were thrown about like missiles. As the pilots fought to regain control of the aircraft oxygen masks fell from the overhead compartments into the laps of terrified passengers. The aircraft carrying more than 200 people dropped hundreds of feet in the space of 90 seconds.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/22/09/85151785-0-image-a-22_1716367728043.jpg)
Luggage came crashing out of the overhead lockers, slamming onto people's heads below, while loose objects like water bottles, food trays and cutlery were thrown about like missiles. As the pilots fought to regain control of the aircraft oxygen masks fell from the overhead compartments into the laps of terrified passengers. The aircraft carrying more than 200 people dropped hundreds of feet in the space of 90 seconds.
![Bones were broken, blood was left smeared on the fixtures, while the injured were left lying on the floor. The scene resembled a war zone - one woman was seen screaming in pain, while other travellers were left with head wounds and bleeding ears. One British traveller said there had been no warning and then he was 'hitting the roof', while his son was left sprawled on the floor two rows behind him. A person who was in the cramped toilet was seriously injured, while the cabin crew were unable to escape either - they had been checking on passengers to make sure they were complying with the fasten seatbelt sign when the plunge happened.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/22/09/85152417-13446453-Bones_were_broken_blood_was_left_smeared_on_the_fixtures_while_t-m-34_1716368069681.jpg)
Bones were broken, blood was left smeared on the fixtures, while the injured were left lying on the floor. The scene resembled a war zone - one woman was seen screaming in pain, while other travellers were left with head wounds and bleeding ears. One British traveller said there had been no warning and then he was 'hitting the roof', while his son was left sprawled on the floor two rows behind him. A person who was in the cramped toilet was seriously injured, while the cabin crew were unable to escape either - they had been checking on passengers to make sure they were complying with the fasten seatbelt sign when the plunge happened.
![One female stewardess was seen with a red mark on her face, while a male co-worker was left dishevelled and in a great amount of pain. In the midst of the chaos Mr Kitchen, who had been so eagerly looking forward to his holiday, collapsed after suffering a suspected heart attack which would prove to be fatal. The damage was not confined to people - photos showed people's belongings strewn on the floor, while the ceiling in part of the cabin collapsed entirely leaving wires, piping and debris exposed.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/22/09/85148421-0-image-a-24_1716367756562.jpg)
One female stewardess was seen with a red mark on her face, while a male co-worker was left dishevelled and in a great amount of pain. In the midst of the chaos Mr Kitchen, who had been so eagerly looking forward to his holiday, collapsed after suffering a suspected heart attack which would prove to be fatal. The damage was not confined to people - photos showed people's belongings strewn on the floor, while the ceiling in part of the cabin collapsed entirely leaving wires, piping and debris exposed.
![After wrestling the plane back under control and realising the hellish scenario the incident had left behind, the pilot declared a medical emergency and told air traffic controllers he needed a mayday landing in Bangkok, the nearest airport. One Briton texted his family to say he loved them, fearful that the damaged aircraft might not make it to their hastily rearranged destination. As the plane descended desperate passengers performed CPR on Mr Kitchen in a bid to save his life, while people with medical training attempted to help the wounded.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/22/09/85145417-0-image-a-25_1716367781185.jpg)
After wrestling the plane back under control and realising the hellish scenario the incident had left behind, the pilot declared a medical emergency and told air traffic controllers he needed a mayday landing in Bangkok, the nearest airport. One Briton texted his family to say he loved them, fearful that the damaged aircraft might not make it to their hastily rearranged destination. As the plane descended desperate passengers performed CPR on Mr Kitchen in a bid to save his life, while people with medical training attempted to help the wounded.
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/22/09/85153095-13446453-image-a-35_1716368088100.jpg)
When the aircraft landed at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, shortly before 4pm local time, passengers appeared shell-shocked as paramedics and staff helped them off the plane in wheelchairs and on stretchers. A convoy of more than a dozen ambulances were lined up on the tarmac. The general manager at the airport in Bangkok described a scene of 'panic and chaos'. Of the 211 passengers and 18 crew on board, Thai authorities said 71 people had been sent for treatment, six of whom were seriously injured, with many sustaining lacerations to the head as they were thrown upwards. On the ground, shaken passengers revealed their shock and horror at the traumatic event.
![Meanwhile, tributes were paid to Mr Kitchen (pictured), who despite the best efforts of passengers and medics, passed away after the incident from a suspected heart attack. The retired insurance worker and theatre director was described by heartbroken friends as 'adventurous' and 'a really nice guy'. Neighbours today told MailOnline that he had suffered heart problems in recent years and had stents put in to widen his arteries.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/22/09/85176001-0-image-m-30_1716367908321.jpg)
Meanwhile, tributes were paid to Mr Kitchen (pictured), who despite the best efforts of passengers and medics, passed away after the incident from a suspected heart attack. The retired insurance worker and theatre director was described by heartbroken friends as 'adventurous' and 'a really nice guy'. Neighbours today told MailOnline that he had suffered heart problems in recent years and had stents put in to widen his arteries.
![Close friend Steve Dimond, 73, who lives a few doors down from Mr Kitchen's three-bed home in leafy Thornbury, said: 'You wouldn't know it, he carried on as normal and was very fit and active. He was very involved with amateur dramatics and was helping me make scenery for our new production. He was a good singer, a fine actor, he was on the committee, he loved musical theatre. He and his wife like live music, all sorts, folk jazz, everything. He's known his wife since they were teenagers, they are a lovely couple. It's a terrible shock, he was a really nice bloke.'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/22/09/85184813-0-image-a-31_1716367927476.jpg)
Close friend Steve Dimond, 73, who lives a few doors down from Mr Kitchen's three-bed home in leafy Thornbury, said: 'You wouldn't know it, he carried on as normal and was very fit and active. He was very involved with amateur dramatics and was helping me make scenery for our new production. He was a good singer, a fine actor, he was on the committee, he loved musical theatre. He and his wife like live music, all sorts, folk jazz, everything. He's known his wife since they were teenagers, they are a lovely couple. It's a terrible shock, he was a really nice bloke.'
![In a statement on Facebook, Singapore Airlines confirmed the emergency landing and that one passenger had died in the incident. 'Singapore Airlines flight #SQ321, operating from London (Heathrow) to Singapore on 20 May 2024, encountered severe turbulence en-route,' the statement from the airline said. 'The aircraft diverted to Bangkok and landed at 1545hrs local time. 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,' it said. 'Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. Our priority is to provide all possible assistance to all passengers and crew on board the aircraft,' the statement added. 'We are working with the local authorities in Thailand to provide the necessary medical assistance, and sending a team to Bangkok to provide any additional assistance needed.'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/22/09/85144959-0-image-a-32_1716367946268.jpg)
In a statement on Facebook, Singapore Airlines confirmed the emergency landing and that one passenger had died in the incident. 'Singapore Airlines flight #SQ321, operating from London (Heathrow) to Singapore on 20 May 2024, encountered severe turbulence en-route,' the statement from the airline said. 'The aircraft diverted to Bangkok and landed at 1545hrs local time. 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,' it said. 'Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. Our priority is to provide all possible assistance to all passengers and crew on board the aircraft,' the statement added. 'We are working with the local authorities in Thailand to provide the necessary medical assistance, and sending a team to Bangkok to provide any additional assistance needed.'
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