Saturday, May 25, 2024 Singapore Airlines has reported that following severe turbulence during a flight, 46 individuals are currently under medical care, with one fatality recorded. The turbulence occurred aboard a flight traveling from London’s Heathrow Airport to Singapore on a Boeing 777, leading to the hospitalization of two crew members and 44 passengers in Bangkok, the company disclosed on its Facebook page on Tuesday, May 21. At Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, 20 of those affected are critically cared for in the intensive care unit, as per a report from The Independent.
Additionally, the article noted that of those still in the hospital, 22 are dealing with spinal injuries, and six are suffering from head and cranial damages. In response to the tragedy, Singapore Airlines stated that it has arranged for the travel of family members to Bangkok to support their hospitalized loved ones. The deceased, identified as 73-year-old Geoffrey Kitchen, is believed to have succumbed to a heart attack caused by the extreme conditions during the flight, which was carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members.
In a related incident of air turbulence, passengers on an Emirates flight reported being violently jostled to the point of hitting the ceiling, describing the experience as feeling like ‘the end.’.