Linda Kitchen, 74, from Thornbury near Bristol, has initiated legal action against Singapore Airlines after her husband, Geoff Kitchen, 73, died following severe turbulence on a flight from London Heathrow. The incident occurred in May 2024, approximately 10 hours into the flight over Myanmar, when the aircraft suddenly dropped around 6,000 feet (1,828 meters).
Linda Kitchen, who sustained a broken back during the turbulence, is seeking damages at the High Court to access specialist support for her injuries. In a statement, she described the moment she was separated from her husband and expressed her devastation upon learning of his death.
The turbulence led to an emergency landing in Bangkok, Thailand, where medical assistance was provided. It is reported that Geoff Kitchen suffered a heart attack as a result of the sudden drop.
Linda Kitchen spent 10 days in the hospital before being airlifted back to the UK, where she required significant assistance at home following her discharge. Anthe Korelidou, her aviation lawyer, emphasized the need for thorough investigations into the incident, highlighting the ongoing questions and concerns of Linda and her family regarding the circumstances surrounding Geoff's death.
The BBC has reached out to Singapore Airlines for comment.