Passenger Dies On Flight After Severe Turbulence

Passenger Dies On Flight After Severe Turbulence

A Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore encountered severe turbulence, resulting in over 30 injuries and the death of a 73-year-old British man from a suspected heart attack. The turbulence hit during meal service, causing chaos as people and objects were hurled around the cabin. Briton Andrew Davis described “awful screaming” and airborne objects, while student Dzafran Azmir recounted passengers being launched into the ceiling and breaking overhead compartments.

The Boeing 777-300ER, carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members, made an emergency landing in Bangkok at 15:45 local time (08:45 GMT). Singapore Airlines expressed condolences to the family of the deceased, who has not yet been named. Thirty-one passengers were hospitalized, while others were examined and treated at Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

The airline is collaborating with Thai authorities to provide medical assistance and sent a team to Bangkok for additional support. Among the passengers were 47 UK nationals. Allison Barker shared that her son, Josh, who was en route to Bali, messaged her about the emergency landing, leading to a “petrifying” wait for further updates. Josh sustained minor injuries and is concerned about the lasting impact of the near-death experience.

A British man with a neck injury recounted the suddenness of the turbulence, describing how his son was thrown two rows behind him and others were severely injured. The incident underscores the increasing occurrence of flight turbulence due to climate change, as noted in a recent study.

Thai authorities dispatched ambulances and emergency teams to assist. Singapore’s Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat expressed his deep sadness over the incident and assured that the government would support the affected passengers and their families.

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