Full Breakdown
Turbulence-Related Death on Singapore Airlines Flight Leads to Inquest Findings
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
On May 21, 2024, a Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER en route from London Heathrow to Singapore encountered severe turbulence over Myanmar. Investigators said the aircraft dropped about 178 feet in under five seconds, likely after being struck by a “rapidly growing cloud.” Passengers were jolted; Geoff Kitchen, a 73-year-old retired insurance professional from Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, was thrown from his seat onto a neighboring passenger and suffered a cardiac arrest.
Coroner’s Findings
Assistant Coroner Dr Peter Harrowing of Avon concluded that the physiological impact of the turbulence precipitated Kitchen’s cardiac arrest, stating:
> “I am satisfied that it was the physiological effect of the aircraft turbulence which precipitated the cardiac arrest and ultimately Geoff’s demise.” “I am satisfied that it was the physiological effect of the aircraft turbulence which precipitated the cardiac arrest and ultimately Geoff's demise.” — Dr Peter Harrowing
Pathologist Dr Edward Stafford confirmed cardiac failure due to coronary artery atheroma, noting that underlying coronary disease can raise the risk of sudden death when combined with the stress of turbulence.
Passenger Impact and Injuries
The turbulence injured 72 passengers, with 51 classified as serious. Kitchen’s wife, Linda Kitchen, suffered spinal fractures, required intensive-care treatment in Bangkok, and was flown back to the UK ten days later. Other passengers reported severe back pain and panic during the abrupt drop. The Singapore Transport Safety Investigation Bureau’s report verified that the aircraft encountered severe turbulence over Myanmar.
Legal Aftermath
Several UK passengers, including Kitchen’s widow, have launched personal-injury claims against Singapore Airlines. Court records list claimants such as Bradley Richards, Jack Jenkins, Hannah Fullerton, Andrew Dawood, Bryan Matthews, and Pauline and Michael Rainey, seeking damages for injuries sustained during the turbulence episode.