Passenger on board Singapore Airlines flight that left one dead speaks out on ‘worst turbulence for 30 years’

A passenger on board the Singapore Airlines flight which left one person dead has spoken out on the 'worst turbulence for 30 years'.

The Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER, which departed from London en route to 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.

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.

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."

Cordelia Lynch, of Sky News, tweeted earlier today (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.

She wrote: "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 for comment, as well as Singapore Airlines and Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Now, one passenger named Andrew Davies took to X to share his experiences following the tragic incident.

He penned: "I was on that flight and helped as much as I could. Those not injured (including me) are in a holding area at Bangkok airport. My heart goes out to the gentleman who lost his life and his poor wife. Awful experience."

He continued: "Lots of people injured - including the air stewards who were stoic and did everything they could. Bangkok emergency services quick to respond. Very little warning. The seatbelt sign came on, I put on my seatbelt straightaway then the plane just dropped.

"People’s belongings scattered, coffee and water splattered the ceiling. Surreal. So many injured people. Head lacerations, bleeding ears. A lady was screaming in pain with a bad back. I couldn’t help her - just got her water.

"Shouted for a defibrillator. Passengers with medical training helping as much as they could. CPR on the poor gentleman that passed. Another passenger laid flat in aisle further behind me. Not sure what happened with them. Wish I could have helped more.

"One of the Singapore Airlines crew said it was by far the worst in her 30 years of flying."

He added: "Lesson is - wear a seatbelt at ALL TIMES. Anyone who is injured, was not wearing a seatbelt. People who kept them on (including me) are not (as far as I could tell)."