SQ321 turbulence: British man who died was grandfather who served local community for decades

SINGAPORE: A 73-year-old British man who died after a Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight he was on encountered severe turbulence has been named as Mr Geoff Kitchen.

Tributes were paid to the retired grandfather on Wednesday (May 22), who was well-known in his local town of Thornbury, near Bristol in southwest England.

He was on flight SQ321 with his wife, headed for what neighbours told reporters was the “holiday of a lifetime” that was due to last six weeks. 

According to The Guardian, Mr Kitchen and his wife were en route to Australia.

The plane had taken off from London's Heathrow Airport on Monday. It then "encountered sudden extreme turbulence" over Myanmar's Irrawaddy Basin, the airline said on Tuesday evening. 

The Boeing 777-300ER, bound for Singapore, then diverted to Bangkok after turbulence flung passengers and crew around the cabin, slamming some into the ceiling.

His death was likely due to a heart attack, Suvarnabhumi Airport general manager Kittipong Kittikachorn told a press conference.  

Mr Kitchen's wife was among those taken to hospital in Bangkok.

The city's Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital said late Tuesday that 71 people had been sent for treatment - six of them seriously injured.

Mr Kitchen was remembered as an active part of his local musical theatre group with a passion for his local community. He had previously worked in the insurance industry. 

He ran for election in his town council last year as an independent candidate, with a focus on restoring the “creative heart” of the neighbourhood. 

“Geoff was always a gentleman with the utmost honesty and integrity and always did what was right for the group,” said the Thornbury Musical Theatre Group in a Facebook post. 

“His commitment to TMTG was unquestionable and he has served the group and the local community of Thornbury for over 35 years, holding various offices within the group, including chairman, treasurer and most recently secretary.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and the family at this difficult time, and we ask that you respect their privacy.”

"SCREAMING IN AGONY"

The plane had been carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members. 

A total of 131 passengers and 12 crew members arrived in Singapore on a relief flight just after 5am on Wednesday. 

Another 79 passengers and six crew members remained in Bangkok, including those receiving medical care. Most of the injured passengers on the flight suffered blows to the head.

British passenger Andrew Davies told BBC Radio 5 that the plane "suddenly dropped" and there was "very little warning".

"During the few seconds of the plane dropping, there was an awful screaming and what sounded like a thud," he said, adding that he helped a woman who was "screaming in agony" with a "gash on her head".

He described seeing people with head lacerations and bleeding ears: "I was covered in coffee. It was incredibly severe turbulence".

Allison Barker told the BBC her son Josh, who was aboard the plane, texted her that he was on "a crazy flight" that was making an emergency landing.

"It was terrifying," she said. "I didn't know what was going on. We didn't know whether he'd survived, it was so nerve-wracking. It was the longest two hours of my life."

SIA apologised for the "traumatic experience" suffered by its passengers and crew members, adding that all necessary assistance was being provided. 

Of the passengers, 56 were Australians, 47 British and 41 Singaporeans.

Singapore's Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB), an arm of the Transport Ministry, is opening an investigation into what happened on SQ321.

Its officers arrived in Bangkok on Tuesday night, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said in a statement on Facebook.

"As this incident involves a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, the United States’ National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is sending an accredited representative and four technical advisors to support the investigation," he noted. 

Boeing earlier said it was in touch with SIA and was ready to provide support. 

"We extend our deepest condolences to the family who lost a loved one, and our thoughts are with the passengers and crew," Boeing said on social media platform X.

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong also extended their condolences. 

"My deepest condolences once again to the family and loved ones of the deceased. I also hope and pray that those who are injured will recover and return home soon," Mr Wong wrote on Facebook. 

He also thanked Thai authorities for their support in providing medical assistance and looking after the affected passengers and crew. 

Mr Lee expressed his gratitude to "everyone here and overseas who are doing their best to help those affected". 

"I offer my deepest condolences to the family of the passenger who passed away ...and I wish the injured passengers and crew a quick recovery."

Additional reporting by John Bevir.