GRANDAD, 73, DIES OF CARDIAC ARREST AFTER PLANE PLUNGES 178FT IN LESS THAN FIVE SECONDS DURING SEVERE TURBULENCE

GEOFF KITCHEN WAS FLYING TO SINGAPORE WITH HIS WIFE LINDA WHEN THEIR BOEING 777 WAS HIT BY SEVERE TURBULENCE OVER MYANMAR — LEAVING HIM DEAD AND DOZENS OF PASSENGERS INJURED.

A 73-year-old grandfather suffered a fatal cardiac arrest after a Singapore Airlines flight was suddenly hit by severe turbulence and plunged 178 feet in less than five seconds, an inquest has heard.

Geoff Kitchen was travelling with his wife Linda from London Heathrow to Singapore on May 21, 2024, when the Boeing 777 encountered the violent turbulence while flying over Myanmar.

The aircraft was cruising at around 37,000 feet when the incident occurred.

According to the investigation report, the aircraft likely encountered rapidly rising air associated with a fast-growing cloud.

The sudden movement caused chaos inside the cabin, with passengers and crew members thrown around the aircraft.

GEOFF WAS THROWN ONTO HIS WIFE

Geoff had been sitting beside Linda when the aircraft suddenly dropped.

Linda told the inquest that she was wearing her seatbelt when she felt a huge drop followed by severe pain across her back.

Geoff was thrown from his seat and landed on his wife.

Passengers subsequently moved him back towards his seat while others began administering CPR.

The aircraft was diverted to Bangkok, where emergency medical teams were waiting when it landed.

Geoff was pronounced dead at the airport.

The official investigation recorded 56 people as seriously injured and 23 with minor injuries, in addition to Geoff’s death.

LINDA DID NOT KNOW HER HUSBAND HAD DIED

Linda suffered serious injuries herself, including spinal fractures and a significant head injury.

She was taken to intensive care in Bangkok, where she repeatedly asked about Geoff.

But she was not immediately told that her husband had died.

In evidence to the inquest, Linda recalled being treated while CPR was being performed on Geoff.

She was eventually informed of his death two days later.

Linda spent around 10 days in a Thai hospital before being transferred back to Britain, where she continued her recovery in hospital in Bristol.

CORONER: TURBULENCE PRECIPITATED THE CARDIAC ARREST

The inquest heard that Geoff had a history of coronary artery disease.

He had undergone stent surgery in 2019 after a serious coronary artery problem. However, medical records indicated that he had subsequently returned to normal exercise capacity and had not been experiencing significant problems during later medical reviews.

Consultant pathologist Dr Edward Sheffield concluded that Geoff died from cardiac failure caused by coronary artery atheroma and the physiological effects of the aircraft turbulence.

The coroner, Dr Peter Harrowing, recorded a narrative conclusion.

He said he was satisfied that the physiological effect of the severe turbulence precipitated the cardiac arrest that ultimately caused Geoff’s death.

The conclusion therefore took into account both Geoff’s underlying heart condition and what happened aboard the aircraft.

A SIX-WEEK HOLIDAY TURNED INTO TRAGEDY

Geoff and Linda had been embarking on a six-week trip that was expected to take them through Singapore, Indonesia and Australia.

Instead, their holiday ended within hours of leaving Britain.

Geoff was a retired insurance professional and a father of two as well as a grandfather of four.

He was also a familiar figure in his local community through his long association with the Thornbury Musical Theatre Group.

He had been involved with the group for more than 35 years and served in several roles, including chairman, treasurer and secretary.

Following his death, the group paid tribute to him as a much-loved member of the organisation.

LINDA NOW TAKING LEGAL ACTION

More than two years after the incident, Linda remains among British passengers pursuing legal action against Singapore Airlines over injuries suffered during the flight.

High Court proceedings have been issued seeking damages for personal injuries.

Several other British passengers from the flight have also launched legal proceedings.

Linda’s lawyers said she and other passengers continue to have questions about what happened and whether more could have been done to prevent their injuries.

For Linda and the Kitchen family, the consequences have lasted far beyond the few seconds in which the aircraft suddenly plunged.

A flight that began as the start of a long-awaited holiday instead ended with the loss of a husband, father and grandfather — while leaving dozens of other passengers facing serious injuries and lasting memories of the terrifying incident.