Plane Passenger Left with 20 Stitches and 6 Fractures in Turbulence, Career Over
A Singapore Airlines passenger, Bradley Richards, 29, found himself in a nightmare scenario during a turbulent flight that left one man dead. Bradley, an engineer, sustained 20 stitches to a head wound and suffered six spine and neck fractures, along with internal bleeding while on Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London to Singapore. The flight took a sudden nosedive over Myanmar, causing chaos and injuries among passengers on board.
Bradley recalls being knocked unconscious and waking up with blood gushing from his head. He immediately felt severe spinal pain and had to be assisted into a wheelchair upon landing in Bangkok, where the flight was diverted. Medical professionals have informed Bradley that it is unlikely he will be able to resume his role as a telecoms engineer due to the extent of his injuries.
The turbulent incident also resulted in the unfortunate death of Geoff Kitchen, 73, from Thornbury, near Bristol, who was suspected to have suffered a heart attack during the flight. The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau’s initial findings indicate that the plane descended 178ft in just four seconds, causing injuries to passengers who were not securely fastened with their seatbelts.
Bradley, who was on a solo trip to Bali, described the chaotic scene on the flight as resembling a scene from a movie. Despite the challenges he has faced during his recovery in a Bangkok hospital, Bradley remains optimistic and appreciative of the support he has received from both the airline and medical staff. His future work prospects remain uncertain as he focuses on his rehabilitation and eventual return to the UK.