Widow Sues Singapore Airlines After Husband's Turbulence-Related Death
Linda Kitchen, 74, is seeking damages from Singapore Airlines after her husband, Geoff, died and she was severely injured during severe turbulence on a flight in May 2024.
Incident Details
Linda Kitchen, 74, has initiated legal action against Singapore Airlines (SIA) after her husband, Geoffrey Kitchen, 73, died and she suffered severe spinal injuries during severe turbulence on a flight in May 2024.
The incident occurred on Flight SQ321, which was en route from London Heathrow to Singapore. The plane plunged over 54 meters in just five seconds while flying over Myanmar on May 21, 2024, according to The Straits Times.
Severe Turbulence and Its Aftermath
The turbulence hit around 10 hours into the flight, during a routine breakfast service. Linda Kitchen described the sudden drop as feeling like the aircraft was plummeting. Her husband fell on top of her, crushing her into the armrest.
A doctor on board began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on Geoffrey Kitchen, but he later suffered a fatal heart attack. The flight was diverted to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, for an emergency landing. In total, 79 people were injured.
Linda Kitchen's Recovery and Legal Action
Linda Kitchen was taken to a hospital in Bangkok, where she spent 10 days before being airlifted back to Bristol, UK. She required significant assistance at home after her discharge from a UK hospital.
She has now begun proceedings at the High Court in Britain, seeking damages from SIA to help her access specialist support for her injuries. Her lawyer, Anthe Korelidou, stated that the incident vividly highlights the severity of what happened and that the family continues to have questions and concerns about the event.