Plane passenger who suffered six fractures in turbulence can no longer work

02 June 2024 , 15:17

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Bradley with a friend before the flight (Image: Bradley Richards / SWNS)

A passenger who was injured on the turbulent flight that left a British man dead says he will not be able to keep working.

Engineer Bradley Richards, 29, needed 20 stitches to a head wound and suffered six spine and neck fractures as well as internal bleeding.

He was travelling on Singapore Airlines flight SQ321, from London to Singapore, when it suddenly lost altitude over Myanmar. Geoff Kitchen, 73, from Thornbury, near Bristol, died from a suspected heart attack, while many more were injured.

Bradley believes he was knocked unconscious and woke up with blood pouring from his head. He immediately felt spinal pain and had to be lifted into a wheelchair when the diverted aircraft landed in Bangkok. Doctors have told him it is unlikely he will able to return to work as a telecoms engineer.

Engineer Bradley Richards, 29, needed 20 stitches to a head wound (Bradley Richards / SWNS)

Early findings by the Transport Safety Investigation Bureau reveal the plane dropped 178ft in just four seconds (X)

He said: “It’s just gutting. I’ve worked in that role for seven years and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”

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Bradley, from Benfleet, Essex, was travelling to Bali solo. He described the scene on the flight as like “something out of a movie”. He said: “I was near the back of the plane and I remember the medical staff running on and having to step over all the injured people on the floor. It was just all so traumatic.”

Bradley has been receiving treatment in a hospital in Bangkok and is unsure when he will be able to return to the UK.

Geoff Kitchen, 73, from Thornbury, near Bristol, died from a suspected heart attack (REX/Shutterstock)

He said: “It’s not been pleasant, but I try my best to remain positive, and the airline and hospital have been so good to me.”

Early findings by the Transport Safety Investigation Bureau reveal the plane dropped 178ft in just four seconds, causing injuries to those without seatbelts on.

Matthew Young