I dead, dozens hurt after SIA flight hits severe turbulence

Flight from London makes emergency landing in Bangkok; 41 S’poreans among 2Il passengers

- Vihanya Rakshika 

One passenger died and dozens were injured when an SIA flight heading to Singapore from London's Heathrow Airport encountered severe turbulence.

In a Facebook post on May 21, Singapore Airlines (SIA) said the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft experienced "sudden extreme turbulence" over the Irrawaddy Basin about 10 hours after departing from London.

The pilot declared a medical emergency and landed at Thailand's Suvarnabhumi Airport at 3.45pm (4.45pm Singapore time).

The airline said 18 passengers have been hospitalised, with another 12 receiving treatment for their injuries in hospitals. The remaining passengers and crew were examined and treated at the airport, it added.

The 211 passengers on Flight SQ321 included 41 Singaporeans, with the remaining 170 from countries such as Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and Britain. There were 18 crew members on board.

Mr Kittipong Kittikachorn, general manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, said at a press briefing that a 73-year-old British passenger died on the flight, likely due to a heart attack. He said the man's wife was taken to hospital, but did not elaborate on her condition.

The dead passenger was later identified as Mr Geoffrey Kitchen.

Mr Kittipong added that dozens of passengers were hurt, with seven of them critically injured. Nine crew members were also taken to hospital, he said.

SIA has sent 50 staff to Bangkok to help the affected passengers, he said.