Brit, 73, reported to have died onboard plane that hit severe turbulence

It has been reported that the passenger who died after a Singapore Airlines flight hit severe turbulence and was forced to make an emergency landing was a British man.

The Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER, which departed from London and was heading for Singapore, was forced to divert to Bangkok, Thailand, after experiencing severe turbulence. It landed at 15:45 local time (08:00 GMT) today, on Tuesday 21 May.

The aircraft left the UK on Monday, 20 May a little after at 22.17 local time, according to flight tracking data.

The plane then requested permission to make an emergency landing at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok before touching down a little before 4.00pm local time.

Singapore Airlines reported that one passenger had died, while 30 were in hospital.

Cordelia Lynch, of Sky News, tweeted earlier on Tuesday (21 May) explaining that the head of Suvarnabhumi Airport had confirmed that the person who died in the tragic incident was a 73-year-old British passenger.

Head of @suvarnabhumiair says one person has died from heart problems and is a 73-year-old British person. Possible heart attack. The autopsy is being carried out. 30 injured in total, 7 in critical conditions. 23 have moderate injuries. 9 cabin crew have moderate injuries.

— Cordelia Lynch (@CordeliaSkyNews) May 21, 2024

"Head of @suvarnabhumiair says one person has died from heart problems and is a 73-year-old British person. Possible heart attack.

"The autopsy is being carried out. 30 injured in total, 7 in critical conditions. 23 have moderate injuries. 9 cabin crew have moderate injuries."

Tyla has reached out to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, as well as Singapore Airlines and Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

According to FlightRadar 24 data, the plane rapidly dropped from an altitude of around 37,000 feet to 31,000 feet within just five minutes.

Dzafran Azmir, a 28-year-old student onboard the flight, described the moment the plane hit severe turbulence, telling 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 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."

Singapore Airlines previously shared a statement confirming the news and the airline has now shared a second update confirming that 30 passengers are currently being treated in hospital.

It reads: "Singapore Airlines flight SQ321, operating from London (Heathrow) to Singapore on 20 May 2024, encountered severe turbulence en-route. The aircraft diverted to Bangkok and landed at 1545hrs local time.

"We can confirm that there are multiple injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft."

The statement continued: "As of 1950hrs Singapore time on 21 May 2024, 18 individuals have been hospitalised. Another 12 are being treated in hospitals. "The remaining passengers and crew are being examined and given treatment, where necessary, at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok.

"There were a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew on board.

"Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. "We deeply apologise for the traumatic experience that our passengers and crew members suffered on this flight. We are providing all necessary assistance during this difficult time.

"We are working with our colleagues and the local authorities in Thailand to provide the necessary assistance. A Singapore Airlines team is on the way to Bangkok to provide any additional assistance needed.

"Singapore Airlines has set up a hotline for relatives seeking information at +65 6542 3311. We will also provide regular updates on our Facebook and X accounts."