British Man Dies on Singapore Airlines Flight During Severe Turbulence, Inquest Hears
A British man, Geoff Kitchen, aged 73, died of a cardiac arrest while onboard a Singapore Airlines flight that experienced severe turbulence. An inquest has confirmed the cause of death following the incident on 20 May 2024. The flight, travelling from London to Singapore, was forced to divert to Bangkok after encountering violent air currents over the Andaman Sea.
During the sudden and extreme turbulence, Mr Kitchen suffered a medical emergency and subsequently passed away. His death was officially attributed to cardiac arrest. The flight, carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew, saw dozens injured, some severely, as the aircraft dropped abruptly. Paramedics were on standby upon landing in Bangkok, where the injured received immediate medical attention.
The incident has drawn attention to the dangers of clear-air turbulence, which can occur without warning and is notoriously difficult to detect. Investigations into the precise circumstances of the turbulence and its impact on the aircraft are ongoing, with aviation authorities reviewing flight data recorders and cockpit voice recordings. The airline has stated its full cooperation with the relevant authorities.
