Linda and Geoff Kitchen, a couple from Thornbury near Bristol, were traveling on Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London Heathrow for a six-week tour of Singapore, Indonesia, and Australia in May 2024 when they experienced severe turbulence. During the flight, the Boeing 777-300ER descended 178 feet in five seconds, causing panic among passengers. Oxygen masks deployed, and the cabin was left in disarray with items scattered on the floor.
Linda, 74, sustained spinal fractures and was placed in intensive care before being transferred back to the UK ten days later for further treatment. Her husband, Geoff, 73, suffered a suspected heart attack during the incident and died on the plane. Linda recounted the turbulence occurring ten hours into the flight, describing it as feeling like the aircraft was dropping.
She stated, 'The drop in altitude seemed to happen suddenly. I fell backwards and to the side and felt pain shooting through me. Geoff fell onto me and was squashing me into the armrest and I couldn't move him.' Despite attempts by other passengers and a doctor to perform CPR, Geoff did not survive. Linda learned of his death two days later, describing the news as 'absolutely devastating.'
Geoff is survived by their two children, aged 48 and 45, and four grandchildren. Linda has initiated legal action against Singapore Airlines, submitting two claims to the High Court, and is awaiting an inquest into Geoff's death. Others have also filed lawsuits against the airline. Anthe Korelidou, an aviation lawyer representing Linda, stated that the goal is to ensure thorough investigations are conducted. Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong expressed regret for the traumatic experience of the passengers, while a spokesperson for the airline noted they cannot comment on ongoing legal matters.