You will be shocked to hear today news, A British man had a suspected heart attack on a plane at Bangkoks Suvarnabhumi Airport. The flight had 211 passengers, including 47 from the UK, and 18 crew members. Seven people are in critical condition in the hospital, and many others are injured.
Singapore Airlines reported that the flight experienced sudden extreme turbulence over Myanmar’s Irrawaddy Basin at 37,000 feet, about 10 hours after departure.
The pilot declared a medical emergency as the plane dropped 6,000 feet in minutes. As more details of the frightening flight emerge, tributes are pouring in for Mr. Kitchen, from Thornbury near Bristol.
Musical Theatre Director Dies in Flight
A beloved musical theatre director, 73-year-old Geoffrey Kitchen, died on a Singapore Airlines flight that hit severe turbulence. He was on his last big holiday with his wife. The Boeing 777-300ER had to make an emergency landing in Bangkok while traveling from London to Singapore on Tuesday.
After the incident, his wife was taken to the hospital, said Kittipong Kittikachorn, general manager of Airports of Thailand. The Thornbury Musical Theatre Group, where Mr. Kitchen worked for 35 years and served as director since 2020, praised him as a gentleman of great honesty and integrity.
Stephen Kitchen, his first cousin, said that Mr. Kitchen and his wife, Linda, had been looking forward to their six-week holiday together.
From his home in Chepstow, he told The Independent, We were a bit shocked and still. I am trying to reach Linda and sent a message. They were excited about the holiday. They loved traveling and were quite adventurous. Their tour around Asia, intended to be their final big holiday, was a significant plan for them.
Stephen noted the cancellation of their lunch meeting at the White Hart pub in Littleton-upon-Severn before the trip, citing visa issues as the reason.
When asked how he had remembered his first cousin, Stephen said, With fond memories. He was musical, and so am I, so we shared that passion. He was very popular in the Thornbury musical group, just a lovely guy.
Only last week, Mr. Kitchen, a retired insurance professional, was helping prepare for the group’s upcoming show, Journey Back To The Future. Steve Dimond, a neighbor and fellow member, declared that the show would honor him.
Mr. Dimond, who has known Mr. Kitchen for 11 years, told The Independent, We will continue with the next show, likely in his name.
Remembering Geoff Kitchen
I am really shocked. We will sadly miss him. He was a kind man who, after retiring, loved musical theatre. Mr. Kitchen, who recently campaigned vigorously for the reopening of the towns Armstrong Hall, earned widespread respect in the community.
The 16-year-old Boeing 777 left Heathrow at 10:17 pm on Monday and landed in Bangkok at 3:45 pm local time (9:45 am BST) the next day. Flightradar24 reported that the plane encountered turbulence around 8:49 am BST while flying over Myanmar.
The flight tracking service reported a rapid change in vertical rate, consistent with sudden turbulence, noting severe thunderstorms in the area at the time. Passenger Dzafran Azmir, 28, vividly described how a sudden and dramatic drop sent unsecured passengers flying into the ceiling.
Social media images depicted damage to the cabin ceiling, with food, cutlery, and debris scattered on the floor afterward.
When asked about Mr. Kitchen, Mr. Dimond added, He was a really nice guy, loved live music and the theater. I remember him dressed as a sultan in the panto this year, funny, good singer, just a nice guy. Very sociable.
In a tribute on Tuesday night, the Thornbury Musical Theatre Group said. The news of our esteemed colleague and friend Geoff Kitchen’s passing in the recent Singapore Air Incident deeply saddens us.
Geoff was a true gentleman, always honest and full of integrity. He consistently put the group’s needs first.
He dedicated over 35 years to TMTG, serving in various roles like chairman, treasurer, and most recently, secretary. Our hearts are with his wife and family during this tough time. Please give them privacy.
A spokesperson from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) stated they were assisting the family and liaising with local authorities.
