Passengers onboard the horror turbulence-hit Singapore Airlines flight, which left one dead and hundreds injured, have praised the cabin crew for remaining calm and "stoically" carrying on.
The Boeing 777 jet, bound for Singapore, was forced to make an emergency landing in Thailand after being hit with deadly turbulence as the cabin crew loaded breakfast trolleys and begun serving hot meals to passengers. After a few mild bumps, the flight’s seatbelt sign was turned on, and the crew, following the standard routine, began checking whether passengers had their belts on.
Seconds later the plane suddenly plunged thousands of feet. Passengers and cabin crew were sent flying across the cabin. Images taken from inside the cabin saw in-flight meals strewn across the floor, while several passengers were left covered in blood after being flung by the horror turbulence.
In-flight meals were strewn across the floor as the plane plummetted (X)
Witnesses described luggage, food trays, coffee and bottles flying through the air (ViralPress)Andrew Davies, an events manager from London, told The Times that crew members "stoically carried on" despite the horror circumstances. Praising airline staff, he said: “The crew were on their feet when it happened and afterwards I don’t think I saw a single one of them who wasn’t injured. One of the men was clearly in a lot of back pain but he, and the rest of them, stoically carried on anyway.”
Davies added: "During the few seconds of the plane dropping there was an awful screaming and what sounded like a thud.”
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Witnesses described how the cabin's oxygen masks fell from the overhead compartments as passengers screamed in fear and food trays, coffee and bottles flew through the air.
Davies saw injured passengers around him, saying "everywhere you looked there was another injury" as the call went out for people who were medically trained to help.
Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital in Bangkok confirmed on Tuesday night that of the 211 passengers on board, 71 people, including one crew member, were sent to hospital for treatment. Six people were severely injured.
Geoffrey Kitchen, 73, from Thornbury, Gloucestershire, near Bristol, died onboard. Officials said that it is believed that Kitchen suffered a heart attack during the turbulence. The musical theatre director was travelling to Singapore for a six-week adventure with his wife, Linda.
In a heartfelt tribute to Kitchen, neighbours said the Brit was on the first leg of a “holiday of a lifetime”. The pair were set to travel around southeast Asia and Indonesia before ending their holiday in Australia. Steve Dimond, 73, a neighbour and close friend, said: “They were very adventurous and had been planning the holiday for a long time.”
Geoffrey Kitchen, 73, died onboard the plane (Social Media)
Multiple passengers were left injured and covered in blood (X)Diamond continued: "It's a terrible shock, he was a really nice bloke. They were a lovely couple. They were very adventurous and had been planning the holiday for a long time. They spent last weekend with their grandchildren because they wouldn't be seeing them for a while."
Last night Singapore Airlines said the flight “encountered sudden extreme turbulence over the Irrawaddy Basin at 37,000ft about ten hours after departure. The pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted the aircraft to Bangkok, and landed at 15:45 local time on May 21, 2024”.
A spokesman added: “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. We are working with our colleagues and the local authorities in Thailand to provide the necessary assistance. A Singapore Airlines team is on its way to Bangkok to provide any additional assistance needed.”
A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: “We are responding to the emergency landing in Bangkok of a Singapore Airlines flight and are in contact with the local authorities.”
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