Singapore Airlines Flight – Latest: British man killed in severe turbulence, named Geoffrey Kitchen

A flight from Heathrow Airport to Singapore encountered severe turbulence, killing one passenger and injuring another.

Singapore Airlines said the flight encountered “sudden, severe turbulence” about 10 hours after departure at 37,000 feet over Myanmar's Irrawaddy Basin, causing the pilot to declare a medical emergency and divert the plane to Bangkok.

Experts describe turbulence as “common” and claim it “rarely” leads to fatalities, but what is turbulence and how dangerous is it?

Mr Kitchen's cousin, Stephen Kitchen, had planned to meet Mr Kitchen and Linda for lunch at the White Hart pub in Lyttelton upon Severn before leaving on holiday, but due to visa issues that needed to be sorted out. Due to problems, it was discontinued.

Stephen said his wife “pieced together the events” after a relative alerted her to a news article about the tragedy.

Speaking from his home in Chepstow, Stephen said he had messaged Linda to contact her when she could.

He said: “We were a little shocked. We're still in shock. We're trying to get in touch with Linda. We've sent her a message.”

“They were looking forward to the holidays. They love to travel and do things like this a lot. They're pretty adventurous. This was supposed to be their last big vacation. We met them before they left. I wish I had. It was a tour around Asia.

“Jeff is an only child, like me, and our fathers were close, and our families were close. We were at the back of different lines, but of course he has a son and a daughter.”

When asked how he remembers his cousin, he replied: “It's a fond memory. He was a music lover, and I'm a music lover, musically inclined, and I know he was very popular with the Thornbury Music Group. He was a really nice guy.”

Tributes have been paid to a 73-year-old British man who died during severe turbulence on board a Singapore Airlines flight departing from Heathrow Airport.

A spokesman for Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, where the plane was diverted, said the passenger, named as Jeff Kitchen, suffered a suspected heart attack on board.

The spokesperson added that seven other people were seriously injured and dozens more had minor injuries.

“Jeff has always been a gentleman with the utmost honesty and integrity and always did what was right for the group.

“His dedication to TMTG is unquestionable and he has contributed greatly to the TMTG Group and the local community.

“For over 35 years, Mr Thornberry has held a variety of positions within the Group including Chairman, Treasurer and most recently Secretary.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and family during this difficult time and we ask that their privacy be respected.”

Geoffrey Kitchen had recently been active in campaigning for the reopening of Armstrong Hall in the town and was highly respected in the community.

Neighbor Steve Dimond said he and his wife, Linda, were on a six-week vacation when the tragedy occurred.

They have a son and daughter who run a window cleaning business in Thornbury. Mr Dymond, who had known Mr Kitchen for about 11 years, said his wife broke the news to her son before police arrived.

“My wife Linda is in the hospital for surgery, so we're worried about her. We don't know how serious it is.”

When asked about Mr. Kitchen, he replied: “He was a really nice guy and loved live music and theater. I remember him wearing a panto this year and dressing up as a sultan. He was funny, a good singer and a lovely person. . Very sociable.”

Geoffrey Kitchen is a retired insurance professional who dedicated much of his time to Thornbury Musical Theatre, where he has served as director since 2020.

As recently as last week, he was helping prepare the group's upcoming show Journey Back to the Future, which neighbor and co-member Steve Dymond told The Independent he would dedicate. .

Mr Dymond said from his home a few doors down from Mr Kitchen's three-bedroom home in a cul-de-sac in Thornbury, a suburb of Bristol.

“I'm really shocked. I'll really miss him. He was a kind person and loved musical theater in recent years after he retired.”

A Singapore Airlines passenger who experienced severe turbulence said there was “terrible screaming” on board the plane.

Another official said that when the turbulence occurred, everyone who was not wearing seatbelts was “immediately thrown into the ceiling.”

A British passenger was killed and many others injured when a plane departing from Heathrow encountered severe turbulence.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board announced Tuesday that it will send an authorized representative and four technical advisors to assist Singapore with its investigation into the severe turbulence incident on Singapore Airlines Flight 321.

Under the Convention on International Aviation, the NTSB can represent the plane because it was manufactured by Boeing. The investigation will be led by the Singapore Transport Safety Investigation Agency.

Four Irish nationals were on board the Singapore Airlines flight from London, and one person was killed and many others injured when the plane encountered severe turbulence.

The Foreign Office confirmed that four Irish nationals were on the flight, but it is not yet known whether they were among the many injured.

A ministry spokesperson said: “We are aware that four Irish nationals were on board.

“The embassy is in close contact with the relevant authorities in Thailand and stands ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance.”