In a tragic incident that led to the death of a 73-year-old British man and the hospitalization of over 100 passengers, a group of travelers is now taking legal action against an airline. The lawsuit targets Singapore Airlines after a severe bout of turbulence caused their plane to plummet 180 feet.
Among those seeking compensation for personal injuries are Bradley Richards, Benjamin Read, and Alison Read. The three sustained injuries during their flight on a Boeing 777-300ER, which was en route to Singapore in May 2024.
Tragically, Geoff Kitchen, another passenger aged 73, suffered a fatal heart attack amidst the chaos as the aircraft descended abruptly.
The flight, designated SQ321, encountered severe turbulence over Myanmar, approximately 11 hours into its 13-hour journey. The incident resulted in numerous injuries among the passengers.
In total, 104 individuals required hospitalization, with 20 of them needing intensive care or surgical intervention, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Some 104 people were hospitalised and 20 of them required intensive care or surgery.
Mr Richards, a telecoms engineer, previously said he feared he would have to change careers after suffering life-changing injuries.
The 31-year-old was catapulted into the roof of the plane when it dropped and was left with cuts to his head – he was forced to use a pillow to reduce the blood flow.
Bradley Richards, a telecoms engineer, previously said he feared he would have to change careers after suffering life-changing injuries
Dozens of people were left with injuries after the plane was hit by turbulence above Myanmar around 11 hours into the 13-hour flight
He had to be lifted into a wheelchair when the plane made its emergency landing in Bangkok and described the traumatic experience as ‘something out of a movie’.
‘I remember waking up and my head was just pouring with blood, kids were screaming, people running around everywhere, it was so frantic,’ he said.
He suffered multiple fractures to the spine and neck, a spinal epidural hematoma and a laceration to his head requiring 20 stitches.
A claim against Singapore Airlines was filed at the High Court at the end of last month, The Sun reported.
The company is yet to respond to the claim and it is unclear how much compensation each passenger is seeking.
Keystone Law is acting on behalf of all three claimants.
The family of Mr Kitchen, who died aboard the plane, are not involved.
Following his death, it was revealed that Mr Kitchen and his wife spent the weekend with their grandchildren before jetting off on their ‘trip of a lifetime’.
Geoff Kitchen, 73, died from a suspected heart attack as the plane fell 178ft
The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau’s (TSIB) preliminary investigation found that the plane dropped 178ft (54m) in just four seconds
The retired insurance worker and his wife, from Thonbury, near Bristol, were heading abroad on a six-week holiday to South East Asia, Indonesia and Australia.
A friend of the couple told the BBC they ‘loved to travel’ and were ‘very excited’ for the trip.
In June 2024, the airline said passengers who sustained minor injuries would receive $10,000 in compensation.
The airline said: ‘For those who sustained more serious injuries… we have invited them to discuss a compensation offer to meet each of their specific circumstances when they feel well and ready to do so.
‘Passengers medically assessed as having sustained serious injuries, requiring long-term medical care, and requesting financial assistance are offered an advance payment of $25,000 to address their immediate needs.
‘This will be part of the final compensation that these passengers will receive.’
In addition, the carrier said it would refund fares for all passengers who were on the flight, including those who were not injured.
The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau’s (TSIB) preliminary investigation found that the plane dropped 178ft (54m) in just four seconds.
Some 104 people were hospitalised and 20 of them required intensive care or surgery
The agency said this likely caused the injuries to the crew and passengers.
The plane carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew diverted to Bangkok for an emergency landing after it was buffeted by turbulence that flung passengers and crew around the cabin, slamming some into the ceiling.
‘The aircraft experienced a rapid change in G (gravitational force). This likely resulted in the occupants who were not belted up to become airborne,’ the Singapore Transport Ministry said in a statement.
‘The vertical acceleration changed from negative 1.5G to positive 1.5G within 4 seconds. This likely resulted in the occupants who were airborne to fall back down,’ it said, citing information extracted from the flight data and cockpit voice recorders.
‘The rapid changes in G over the 4.6 seconds duration resulted in an altitude drop of 178 ft, from 37,362 ft to 37,184 ft. This sequence of events likely caused the injuries to the crew and passengers,’ it added.
