Passengers on the Singapore airline have shared the horrific experience they had as their plane was hit by severe turbulence on May 21.
More than 30 people were injured while a 73-year-old British man, Geoff Kitchen, died from a suspected heart attack.
Andrew Davies who was travelling to New Zealand for business said that “at first, the flight was perfectly normal,” he described the flight as “quite smooth … I don’t remember any turbulence at all.”
Speaking to CNN, Davies recalled how things flew all over the cabin has many passengers needed help including Geoff Kitchen who was sitting right behind him. “That gentleman was sitting right behind me,” he said.
“Lots of people needed some help but we tended to this gentleman, and I helped carry him, get him out of the seat, and we laid him on the floor so that some medical professions could administer CPR,” he added.
Singapore Airline Experience
Passengers were having breakfast moments before the incident.
Another passenger said the aircraft suddenly started “tilting up” and “shaking”.
“I started bracing for what was happening, and very suddenly there was a very dramatic drop, so everyone seated and not wearing a seatbelt was launched immediately into the ceiling,” 28-year-old student Dzafran Azmir told Reuters.
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Azmir added that the turbulence was sudden and really quick that he thinks nobody could respond to it.
There were 229 passengers including the crew on board before the turbulence which launched people and objects across the cabin.
Speaking to BBC Allison Barker said she received a message from her son who was on the plane. “I don’t want to scare you, but I’m on a crazy flight. The plane is making an emergency landing… I love you all,” the message read.
“One minute, he was just sitting down wearing a seatbelt, the next minute, he must have blacked out because he found himself on the floor with other people,” she told the BBC.
Also Read: Death Reported as Severe Turbulence Hits Singapore Airline Plane
Aftermath reaction
Singapore transport minister Chee Hong Tat said the government will provide aid to the passengers and their families.
“I am deeply saddened to learn about the incident on board Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London Heathrow to Singapore,” he posted in a statement on Facebook.
Following the incident, Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong issued an apology through a video on Facebook. “We are deeply saddened by this incident. On behalf of Singapore headlines, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased,” he said.
Phong added, “We are very sorry for the traumatic experience that everyone on SQ321 went through.”
He noted that the Airline would cooperate with investigators and support affected victims of the horrific experience.
“Once again, our deepest apologies to everyone affected by this incident. Please be assured that Singapore Airlines is here to support you during this difficult time.”
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