1 of 5 | One traveler of Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 passedaway Tuesday after the airplane experienced extreme turbulence. Photo courtesy of Suvarnabhumi Airport/Facebook
May 21 (UPI) — A British traveler flying Singapore Airlines passedaway and 71 more were hurt when a flight from London cameacross serious turbulence Tuesday.
Singapore Airlines stated the Boeing 777-300ER airplane bring 211 travelers and 18 team members hit “sudden severe turbulence” at 37,000 feet in the air 10 hours into the journey from London’s Heathrow Airport to Singapore.
“The pilot stated a medical emergencysituation and diverted the airplane to Bangkok,” the airlinecompany stated. It landed at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport quickly inthepast 4 p.m. Tuesday regional time.
The airlinecompany earlier reported 30 travelers and team were hurt however upgraded the number of hurt to71
Officials stated 18 individuals were hospitalized, 12 were being dealtwith and staying travelers and team members were being takenalookat and offered treatment “where needed” at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok.
At least 7 of the hurt were noted in vital condition.
Officials in Bangkok stated the 73-year-old British male mostlikely passedaway of a heart attack.
Kittipong Kittikachorn, director of Suvarnabhumi Airport, informed pressreporters the male who passedaway was takingatrip with his betterhalf and had a heart condition.
The victim hasactually been recognized as Geoff Kitchen.
Joji Waites, head of flight security for the British Airlines Pilots Association, stated that while pilots are experienced on how to expect possible turbulence, those are basic guidelines and cannot identify real results and live conditions.
“It is crucial, forthatreason, for airplane residents to have their seatbelts attached while seated oughtto any unforeseen encounters happen and comply withoutdelay with ‘fasten seatbelt’ indications when asked to do so,” Waites stated.
A relief flight with 143 travelers and team of SQ321 who were able to travel showedup in Singapore quickly aft