Wife of man who died after turbulence sues Singapore Airlines

Linda Kitchen, 74, of Thornbury near Bristol, has filed a High Court claim against Singapore Airlines after her husband, Geoff Kitchen, 73, died during a flight from London Heathrow to Singapore. The lawsuit seeks damages to cover specialist back‑care for Linda, who broke her spine when the aircraft suddenly dropped about 6,000 feet during severe turbulence over Myanmar in May 2024.

The incident occurred roughly ten hours into the flight, when the aircraft experienced violent turbulence that caused it to plummet. Linda said she felt the plane drop, saw her Kindle and Geoff’s phone fall, and realised the aircraft was descending. She recalled that Geoff fell on top of her, crushing her into an armrest. Passengers and crew moved him and a doctor on board began CPR. Linda was taken to hospital on the plane; she was told two days later that Geoff had died. The airline diverted the aircraft to Bangkok for an emergency landing.

Geoff Kitchen suffered a heart attack after the sudden drop at high altitude, according to reports. Linda was hospitalized for 10 days before being airlifted back to Bristol, where she spent an additional week in hospital and then required extensive assistance at home. She has said, “It was absolutely devastating,” describing the shock of learning of her husband’s death.

Her lawyer, aviation specialist Anthe Korelidou, stated that the severity of both Geoff’s fatal injury and Linda’s spinal damage “highlights the severity of what happened.” She added that the family still has questions about what occurred and whether more could have been done to prevent the injuries. “All Linda wants is for the most thorough investigations to be conducted,” Korelidou said. “The issuing of High Court proceedings is a major milestone in being able to provide Geoff’s loved ones with the answers they deserve.”

The High Court proceedings were initiated on Monday, with the aim of securing compensation to help Linda access specialist support for her back. Singapore Airlines has not yet responded to a request for comment.

The flight, part of a six‑week holiday itinerary that included Singapore, Indonesia and Australia, had already experienced turbulence over Europe and during the water crossing. The final, severe turbulence came after the aircraft had been in the air for about ten hours. The cabin crew deployed oxygen masks during the incident, and passengers were instructed to remain seated with seatbelts fastened.

Geoff Kitchen was described by Linda as her “soul mate.” He was a retired engineer who had spent his life building a career in the United Kingdom. The couple had planned a long‑term holiday that was cut short by the accident.

The case raises questions about airline safety procedures during severe turbulence and the responsibilities of carriers when passengers suffer fatal injuries. Aviation authorities have previously investigated similar incidents, but this case is among the first to involve a legal claim in the UK against an international carrier for a fatality caused by turbulence.

Linda Kitchen’s claim is part of a broader trend of passengers seeking legal redress after accidents involving severe turbulence. The High Court will now consider the evidence, including flight data, cabin crew reports, and medical records. The outcome could influence future airline protocols and passenger compensation frameworks.

The BBC has reached out to Singapore Airlines for comment but has not yet received a response. The lawsuit will proceed through the UK legal system, and further developments will be reported as the case unfolds.