A 73-year old British man has died on a Singapore Airlines flight from London Heathrow (LHR/EGLL) after the flight hit severe turbulence.
The Boeing 777-300 aircraft which was operating SQ321 hit the turbulence en route from London to Singapore causing the aircraft to divert to Bangkok.
Authorities in Bangkok have said it is “highly likely” that the British man, who was travelling with his wife, died of a heart attack and not by any injury sustained in the turbulence.
The passengers wife was also hospitalised on arrival in Bangkok along with 33 other passengers and nine crew members.
Witnesses on-board said that the flight was progressing normally then the aircraft suddenly dropped with objects being thrown around the cabin.
Data from Flightradar24 shows the aircraft dropped around 200ft in a matter of seconds as it hit an air pocket.
Images widely shared on social media show the chaos and damage left on the cabin after the incident.
Death or serious injury caused by turbulence is extremely rare in commercial aviation and this incident shows why most airlines recommend that you keep your seatbelt fastened whenever you are are in your seat.
