A passenger onboard the Singapore Airlines which hit severe turbulence, leaving one British passenger dead, says the aircraft “suddenly dropped” as objects were thrown around the cabin.
Speaking to BBC 5 Live, the passenger, Andrew, said: “I was covered in coffee. During the few seconds of the plane dropping there was an awful screaming and what sounded like a thud.”
Once it settled, the flier said he was able to help one lady who was “screaming in agony” and had a “gash on her head”.
He told the outlet that passengers are being kept in a special part of the airport in Bangkok, Thailand.
“I will get on another flight, these are very rare occurrences,” he said.
READ MORE: Singapore Airlines passenger describes moment they were ‘launched into ceiling’
Chaos unfolded on Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 when turbulence caused it to plunge “6,000ft” and then divert to Bangkok in Thailand.
The Boeing 777-300ER departed Heathrow on Monday at 10.38pm. About one hour and 30 minutes from Singapore Changi Airport, the crew declared an emergency.
Another passenger, Dzafran Azmir, 28, told Reuters: “Suddenly the aircraft starts tilting up and there was shaking so I started bracing for what was happening, and very suddenly there was a very dramatic drop so everyone seated and not wearing seatbelt was launched immediately into the ceiling.”
“Some people hit their heads on the baggage cabins overhead and dented it, they hit the places where lights and masks are and broke straight through it,” he added.
The plane, registered as 9V-SWM, subsequently landed at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, where it made an emergency landing at around 4pm local time.
First pictures inside the cabin show food and drink strewn over the cabin floor, with what appears to be a person under a blanket in the corner.
Upon landing, the plane was attended to by waiting ambulances to treat the passengers. Originally, the aircraft had been scheduled to touch down at Singapore’s Changi Airport at around 6.10pm.
In Bangkok, pictures and video from local media show more than 10 ambulances at the scene, with emergency crews and airport staff stationed nearby.
In a statement on Facebook, Singapore Airlines confirmed both that the plane and had been divered and that one of the passengers had died.
A spokesman said: “Singapore Airlines flight #SQ321, operating from London (Heathrow) to Singapore on May 20, encountered severe turbulence en route. The aircraft diverted to Bangkok and landed at 3.45pm local time on May 21.
“We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing 777-300ER. There were a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew on board.”
“Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. Our priority is to provide all possible assistance to all passengers and crew on board the aircraft.
“We are working with the local authorities in Thailand to provide the necessary medical assistance, and sending a team to Bangkok to provide any additional assistance needed.”
Speaking at a press conference, the airport’s general manager provided further details about the “chaotic” incident, saying the man who died likely had suffered a cardiac arrest.
Kittipong Kittikachorn confirmed the passenger who lost their life was a 73-year-old British man who had a heart condition. He had been travelling with his wife who was taken to hospital.
He added that seven people are in critical condition while 23 others, including some members of the flight crew, have less severe injuries.
