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A much-loved musical director died on board a Singapore Airlines flight during severe turbulence while on his “last big holiday” with his wife. According to his family,
Geoffrey Kitchen, a father of two, has been named as the 73-year-old British national who died on Tuesday when a Boeing 777-300ER plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Bangkok en route from London to Singapore.
A spokesperson for Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport said a British man suffered a suspected heart attack on board the plane. It was carrying 211 passengers (including 47 from the UK) and 18 crew members. Seven people are in critical condition in hospital and dozens more are injured.
Singapore Airlines said the plane 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 flight tracking data showing the plane plummeting 6,000 feet within minutes.
As details of the terrifying flight continue to emerge, tributes have poured in for the Kitchen, from Thornbury, just outside Bristol.
The wife was rushed to the hospital after the incident, said Kittipong Kittikachorn, general manager of Thailand Airport.
Thornbury Musical Theatre Group, where Kitchen has worked for 35 years and where he has been director since 2020, praised him as “a gentleman of the utmost honesty and integrity”.
Mr Kitchen's cousin, Steven Kitchen, said he and his wife, Linda, had been looking forward to spending a six-week holiday together.
He spoke from his home in Chepstow. independent person: “We were a little shocked and still are. We're trying to get in touch with Linda. We've sent her a message.
“They were looking forward to the holidays. They like to travel and do things like this a lot. They're pretty adventurous. This was supposed to be their last big vacation. Before they left, they I wish I could have met you. We were on tour around Asia.”
Stephen said he had planned to have lunch with the couple at the White Hart pub in Lyttelton-upon-Severn before leaving for his holiday but this was cancelled as he had to sort out visa issues.
When asked what he remembers about his first cousin, Stephen said, “I have fond memories of him being a musical person and me being a musical person, so we're musically inclined, but he was a member of the Thornbury Musical Group.'' “I know he was very popular. He was just a nice guy.”
Just last week, Kitchen, a retired insurance professional, was helping the group prepare for its next show. journey to the future, Neighbor and co-member Steve Dimond said he plans to dedicate the church to him.
said Dimond, who has known Kitchen for 11 years. Independent: “We will continue with the next show, but it will probably be under his name.
“It's a real shock and he will be sorely missed. He was a kind man and loved musical theater in recent years after his retirement.”
Mr Kitchen had recently campaigned vigorously for the reopening of Armstrong Hall in the town and was highly respected in the community.
The 777 departed Heathrow Airport at 22:17 on Monday and landed in Bangkok at 15:45 local time (0845 GMT) the next day. Flightradar 24 said tracking data showed the plane encountered turbulence at around 7:49 p.m. Japan time while flying over Myanmar.[0845GMT)thefollowingdayFlightradar24saiditstrackingdatashowedtheplaneencounteredturbulenceatapproximately0749GMTwhileflyingoverMyanmar[0845GMT)thefollowingdayFlightradar24saiditstrackingdatashowedtheplaneencounteredturbulenceatapproximately0749GMTwhileflyingoverMyanmar
The aviation tracking service said data transmitted by the aircraft showed “rapid changes in vertical velocity consistent with a sudden turbulence event”, adding that there were “several severe” thunderstorms in the area at the time.
Zahran Azmir, 28, who was on the plane, said the plane suffered a “very dramatic fall” and those who were not wearing seatbelts were “instantly thrown into the ceiling”. .
Images posted on social media showed damage to the cabin ceiling and food, knives and other debris strewn on the floor after the incident.
When asked about the kitchen, Dymond added: “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.”
Thornbury Musical Theatre Group paid tribute on Tuesday night, saying: “We are heartbroken to learn of the tragic news of the death of our esteemed colleague and friend, Geoff Kitchen, in the recent Singapore Airlines crash.
“Jeff has always been a gentleman of the utmost integrity and integrity, always doing what was right for the group.
“His dedication to TMTG is undeniable, having served the group and the local community of Thornbury for over 35 years, holding 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.”
A spokeswoman for Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCDO) said it was supporting the passengers' families and liaising with local authorities.
