The recent news of a 73-year-old British man passing away due to a suspected heart attack after “sudden extreme turbulence” on a London-Singapore flight has left the aviation world in shock. The Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from Heathrow was on its way to Singapore when it was forced to make an emergency landing in Thailand. According to reports, dozens of passengers were injured during the incident, with some describing people being “launched into the ceiling” and overhead lockers.
Eye-Witness Accounts
Passenger Dzafran Azmir, 28, recounted the chaos that ensued as the turbulence hit. He mentioned how the aircraft started tilting up and shaking, leaving passengers bracing for the worst. Azmir explained, “And very suddenly there was a very dramatic drop so everyone seated and not wearing seatbelts was launched immediately into the ceiling.” Briton Andrew Davies also shared his experience, stating that anyone who had a seatbelt on escaped without injuries. He mentioned that the cabin crew, despite their best efforts, also suffered injuries during the turbulent episode.
Kittipong Kittikachorn, the head of Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, informed the media that a 73-year-old British man had passed away from probable cardiac arrest. He also mentioned that seven individuals sustained critical injuries and that many passengers were unable to walk and had to be assisted from the aircraft. The sudden turbulence struck while passengers were being served breakfast, adding to the already harrowing situation. Kittikachorn attributed the incident to an “air pocket” and mentioned that the dead man’s wife was by his side at the hospital.
Following the incident, Singapore Airlines expressed its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and issued an apology for the traumatic experience faced by passengers and crew members. The airline assured that it was cooperating with Thai authorities and dispatching a team to Bangkok to provide assistance. Singapore Airlines, known for its high safety standards and accolades in the aviation industry, has been at the forefront of ensuring passenger safety.
Turbulence-related injuries are not uncommon on passenger flights, with a study by the US National Transportation Safety Board revealing that it accounted for more than a third of accidents between 2009 and 2018. However, despite the high number of injuries, there was no significant aircraft damage reported in these incidents. The aviation industry continues to prioritize safety measures to prevent such tragic events from reoccurring.
The unfortunate incident on the London-Singapore flight serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of air travel. The aviation industry must continue to emphasize safety protocols and measures to ensure the well-being of passengers and crew members during flights. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased, as well as those who were injured during this turbulent ordeal.