Geoffrey Ralph Kitchen, 73, passed away on a Singapore Airlines flight after suffering a heart attack during turbulence. His body was thrown from side to side as the plane encountered treacherous conditions at 37,000ft above the Indian Ocean. The flight was en route to Singapore but had to make an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand. Geoffrey and his wife Linda were on their way to Singapore as part of a six-week “holiday of a lifetime” to South East Asia and Australia. It is known that Geoff had previous heart issues. Passengers on board were visibly shaken and consoled each other upon arrival at Changi Airport in Singapore after the tragic incident.
The Singapore Airlines flight, with 211 passengers and 18 crew members, faced sudden extreme turbulence over Myanmar’s Irrawaddy Basin, triggering a pilot-declared medical emergency. The turbulence caused the plane’s ceiling to sustain damage and debris such as food and cutlery to be strewn across the cabin floor. The 16-year-old Boeing 777 jet took off from London Heathrow and was diverted to Bangkok after the distressing event. The journey was marred by tragedy as Geoffrey Ralph Kitchen lost his life during the terrifying moments of turbulence. Other passengers from various nationalities were also affected by the turbulence, leading to injuries and one fatality.
Images of distressed passengers embracing their loved ones at Changi Airport were shared on social media following the devastating incident. The flight was tracked by Flightradar24, showing the turbulence occurring while the plane flew over Myanmar. The sudden change in vertical rate was consistent with a turbulence event, indicating severe thunderstorms were present in the area at the time. A passenger on the flight recalled the chaos, with the seat belt sign illuminating as the aircraft unexpectedly dropped. Objects and passengers were thrown around the cabin, causing alarm and distress among everyone on board who witnessed the turbulence firsthand.
Singapore Airlines issued a statement offering its deepest condolences to Geoffrey Ralph Kitchen’s family and all affected by the turbulence incident. The nationalities of passengers on the flight were listed, including passengers from the UK, Australia, Singapore, New Zealand, and other countries. The airline confirmed the encounter with severe turbulence and expressed sympathy for those injured and the family of the deceased passenger. The emergency landing in Bangkok was a shock to all involved, and the aftermath of the incident showed visible signs of the plane’s interior damage and the emotional toll it took on passengers who experienced the turbulence.
Authorities and emergency services in Bangkok responded promptly to the emergency landing of the Singapore Airlines flight. The investigation into the cause of the turbulence and the tragic passing of Geoffrey Ralph Kitchen was initiated to determine the events leading up to the incident. As passengers recounted the harrowing experience, the airline continued to provide support to those affected by the ordeal. The impact of such turbulence on passengers, crew members, and the aviation industry raised concerns about safety measures and emergency protocols during flights. The community mourned the loss of a passenger during what was intended to be a memorable trip that turned into a heartbreaking journey due to unforeseen circumstances. The memory of Geoffrey Ralph Kitchen remained with those who survived the turbulence, emphasizing the unpredictability of air travel and the need for preparedness in handling such emergencies.
