GRANDFATHER, 73, DIES AFTER SINGAPORE AIRLINES PLANE PLUNGES 178FT IN LESS THAN FIVE SECONDS

A British grandfather died after severe turbulence sent a Singapore Airlines plane plunging 178 feet in less than five seconds, an inquest has heard.

Geoff Kitchen, 73, from Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, was travelling with his wife Linda on Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London Heathrow to Singapore on May 21, 2024.

The couple had been beginning a six-week holiday to Singapore, Indonesia and Australia when the Boeing 777 encountered severe turbulence over Myanmar.

More than 70 passengers were injured, including Linda, while Geoff suffered a fatal cardiac arrest during the terrifying incident.

“A HUGE DROP” SENT PASSENGERS FLYING

The Boeing 777-300ER was cruising at around 37,000 feet when it encountered severe turbulence while approaching southwestern Myanmar.

According to the investigation presented at the inquest, the aircraft experienced the turbulence shortly before 7:53 a.m. local time.

The plane reportedly dropped 178 feet in less than five seconds before stabilizing.

Linda, who was wearing her seatbelt, later described feeling “a huge drop” followed by severe pain across her back.

The force of the turbulence caused Geoff to be thrown from his seat and land on his wife.

Passengers and crew rushed to help as Geoff was returned to his seat and CPR was performed.

The flight crew declared a Mayday and diverted the aircraft to Bangkok, Thailand.

The plane landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport at around 8:45 a.m., where emergency medical teams were waiting.

Geoff was pronounced dead after the aircraft landed.

CORONER RULES TURBULENCE PRECIPITATED HIS DEATH

An inquest at Avon Coroners’ Court heard that Geoff had a history of coronary artery disease.

He had undergone surgery in 2019 to have stents fitted following a serious coronary artery problem.

However, medical evidence heard at the inquest indicated that he had subsequently returned to normal exercise capacity and had not been experiencing significant problems in the period before the flight.

Pathologist Dr Edward Sheffield gave the cause of death as cardiac failure due to coronary artery atheroma and the physiological effects of aircraft turbulence.

After hearing the evidence, assistant coroner Dr Peter Harrowing concluded that the turbulence had precipitated Geoff’s cardiac arrest.

The coroner said the conclusion took into account both Geoff’s underlying heart condition and the extreme physical effects of the turbulence.

DOZENS OF PASSENGERS WERE INJURED

Geoff was the only person who died in the incident.

The inquest heard that 56 passengers suffered serious injuries, while another 23 sustained minor injuries.

Linda was among those seriously injured.

She suffered spinal fractures and a head wound and was taken to intensive care in Bangkok before eventually returning to the United Kingdom for further treatment.

She later recalled the terrifying moments when the aircraft suddenly dropped.

In a statement read to the inquest, Linda said she thought the plane was going down.

She also described the devastating moment when Geoff was being treated by passengers and crew members around her.

A HOLIDAY THAT ENDED IN TRAGEDY

Geoff and Linda had been married for many years and were looking forward to travelling together.

The couple’s planned trip included Singapore, Indonesia and Australia and was expected to last six weeks.

Instead, their journey ended with Geoff’s death and Linda facing a long recovery from her injuries.

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

He was also known in his local community through his involvement with the Thornbury Musical Theatre Group.

Following his death, the group paid tribute to him as a gentleman remembered for his honesty and integrity.

“I’VE LOST MY SOULMATE”

Linda has since spoken about the devastating impact of losing her husband.

In a statement released through her lawyers, she said Geoff’s death had been “absolutely devastating” for her, their two children and their four grandchildren.

She described Geoff as her soulmate and said the family had expected him to be around to watch his grandchildren grow up.

Linda is among British passengers who have taken legal action against Singapore Airlines over injuries suffered during the flight.

Several other passengers have also launched claims relating to the turbulence incident.

QUESTIONS REMAIN AFTER THE FLIGHT

The Singapore Transport Safety Investigation Bureau’s investigation found that SQ321 encountered severe turbulence over Myanmar.

Investigators said the aircraft was likely affected by rapidly developing cloud activity as it passed through the area.

The subsequent inquest focused specifically on Geoff’s death and the medical effects of the turbulence on his underlying heart condition.

For his family, however, the devastating consequences extend far beyond the official findings.

A six-week family holiday became a tragedy that claimed the life of a 73-year-old husband, father and grandfather.

Geoff Kitchen had boarded the flight expecting to begin a memorable journey with his wife.

Instead, the severe turbulence turned the flight into a disaster that his family will never forget.