Widow of British man who died after turbulence sues Singapore Airlines

Linda Kitchen has taken legal action against Singapore Airlines more than two years after powerful turbulence claimed the life of her 73-year-old husband during a flight.

The 74-year-old from Thornbury, UK, has filed the case with the British High Court. Her claims include securing financial support for the specialized treatment she requires for serious spinal injuries sustained in the incident.

In May 2024, Linda and her husband, Jeff Kitchen, were flying from London Heathrow Airport to Singapore when the aircraft encountered severe turbulence over Myanmar.

Family lawyers said the aircraft lost approximately 6,000 meters in altitude during the incident. The flight was subsequently diverted to Bangkok, where an emergency landing was carried out.

Describing the terrifying moments on board, Linda said the shaking was so violent that she became convinced the aircraft was no longer under control.

“I felt as though the plane was falling. I saw my Kindle and Jeff’s phone on the floor and thought the plane was falling out of control,” she said.

When the aircraft suddenly dropped, Jeff was thrown onto his wife, while Linda hit the armrest of her seat with great force.

Other passengers pulled Jeff away from Linda, while a doctor on board immediately began attempts to resuscitate him.

After arriving in Bangkok following the emergency landing, Linda was taken to hospital, while Jeff remained on the aircraft. It was only two days later that she was informed that her husband had died. The family said he suffered a heart attack after the incident.

Linda was treated in hospital for 10 days and then returned to Britain. As soon as she arrived in Bristol, she was admitted to hospital again, and after being discharged she required considerable assistance at home because of the injuries she had sustained.

Anthi Korelidou, her lawyer and an aviation law specialist, said the consequences of the incident clearly demonstrated the extraordinary force of the turbulence.

She said the family continued to seek clarification about how the incident occurred, as well as whether other measures could have been taken to prevent the serious consequences.

Linda Kitchen is seeking the most detailed investigation possible. The proceedings in the British High Court are also expected to determine liability and the type of support she may receive for the injuries she suffered.