Singapore Airlines: Man, 73, died from 'heart attack' as seven critically injured after turbulence incident

A British pensioner died from a possible heart attack after a flight from London endured severe turbulence, it has been confirmed.

The 73-year-old man passed away while seven others were left critically injured during the incident onboard a Singapore Airlines flight on Tuesday. The flight, which left the UK on Monday, had to make an emergency landing in Thailand.

There were 211 passengers and 18 crew onboard when it flew through the airspace in the region on Tuesday afternoon. The area is currently experiencing extreme tropical thunderstorms.

A passenger on board said the plane suffered a “dramatic drop”, meaning people not wearing a seatbelt were “launched immediately into the ceiling”. Images posted on social media show damage to the ceiling of the cabin, and food, cutlery and other debris strewn on the floor in the aftermath of the incident.

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.”

A spokesperson for the airline said today: "Singapore Airlines flight, operating from London (Heathrow) to Singapore on 21 May 2024, encountered severe turbulence en route. The aircraft diverted to Bangkok and landed at 1545hrs local time. We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing 777-300ER. There were a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew 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."

Singapore’s minister for transport Chee Hong Tat said in a statement posted on Facebook: “I am deeply saddened to learn about the incident onboard Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London Heathrow to Singapore.”

He said several organisations are “providing support to the affected passengers and their families”, adding: “My deepest condolences to the family of the deceased.”

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