Airport issues update on Singapore Airlines flight hit by turbulence as man dies and seven 'critically injured'

An airport has released a statement after a 73-year-old British national died from a possible heart attack after a flight to Singapore hit turbulence.

A spokesperson for Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, where the flight was diverted to, confirmed the man's death while also stating that seven other people were seriously injured. A passenger on board Flight SQ321 said the plane experienced a "dramatic drop" while passengers were "launched immediately into the ceiling" as they weren't wearing seatbelts.

The flight, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER ket, departed at 10.17pm on Monday and was diverted to Bangkok, landing at 3.45pm local time - 9.45am BST - on Tuesday. In total, 211 passengers and 18 crew members were on board.

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Singapore Airlines said: “Singapore Airlines flight SQ321, operating from London Heathrow to Singapore on May 20, encountered severe turbulence en-route. We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board.

“Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. Our priority is to provide all possible assistance to all passengers and crew on board the aircraft.

“We are working with the local authorities in Thailand to provide the necessary medical assistance and sending a team to Bangkok to provide any additional assistance needed.”

Student Dzafran Azmir, 28, who was on the flight, told Reuters: “Suddenly the aircraft starts tilting up and there was shaking so I started bracing for what was happening, and very suddenly there was a very dramatic drop, so everyone seated and not wearing a seatbelt was launched immediately into the ceiling.

“Some people hit their heads on the baggage cabins overhead and dented it, they hit the places where lights and masks are and broke straight through it.”

Aviation consultant John Strickland told the PA news agency: Exposure is greater in different parts of the world. The South Atlantic, Africa and the Bay of Bengal are all places that spring to mind where there’s a greater incidence.

“There are discussions about whether climate change is influencing an increase in occurrences.”

He highlighted that airlines have a variety of methods to minimise negative effects from turbulence, including weather forecasts and radars. He added: "It can never be taken lightly when airlines recommend you keep the seatbelt loosely fastened throughout the flight.”

Joji Waites, head of flight safety at pilots’ union Balpa, said: “Balpa sends its thoughts to the family and friends of those affected by this event. Aircraft are designed and certificated to withstand flight in severe turbulence, and pilots are trained in how to anticipate potential turbulence encounters based on weather forecasts and the aircraft’s onboard technology.

“Route weather forecasts provide a general prediction of when turbulence is likely to occur, but they often cannot reflect actual conditions in sufficient detail to enable pilots to avoid specific instances of turbulence.

“It is important, therefore, for aircraft occupants to have their seatbelts fastened while seated should any unexpected encounters occur and comply promptly with ‘fasten seat belt’ signs when asked to do so.”