Over 20 passengers hurt on a rocky Singapore Airlines flight are reported to have spinal injuries, as per the hospital.
The director of Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital in Thailand, Adinun Kittiratanapaibool, informed reporters on a Thursday that the medical facility is taking care of 22 patients with spinal and spinal cord complaints, six individuals with skull and brain injuries, and an additional 13 people due to bone, muscle, or soft tissue troubles. Among these patients, 17 had undergone surgeries, including suturing and spinal operations.
On a Tuesday flight from London to Singapore, sitting at 37,000 feet, the aircraft experienced a sudden descent, followed by an increase in altitude. This happening is evident in flight tracking data. The cabin went through a series of dips and ascents for approximately a minute. At that moment, many passengers were having their breakfast. After the emergency landing in Bangkok, videos and images taken on the plane demonstrated the aftermath, depicting fractured overhead bins and dangling emergency oxygen masks. The interior of the plane appeared damaged, with trays, containers, plastic bottles, and hot beverage pots scattered on the floor.
A smashed section of the ceiling in one of the galleys was also observed, along with objects dangling from the ceiling. The plane scheduled to carry 211 passengers and 18 crew members had to be diverted to Bangkok upon arrival. There, ambulances and emergency aid units were stationed.
The 55 individuals from Australia, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Spain, the United States, and Ireland who sustained injuries during the ordeal are among the total 71 passengers hospitalized. One death was reported, that of a 73-year-old British man who had an existing heart condition. While hospital officials have not yet determined his cause of death, he was identified as Geoff Kitchen, a revered individual for over 35 years at the Thornbury Musical Theatre Group, where he was engaged in work.
143 of the former flight's passengers and crew members were later flown to Singapore on a relief flight provided by Singapore Airlines on Wednesday morning. The original flight comprised of 211 passengers and 18 crew members.
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The incident happened over the bustling skies of Asia, where the Singapore Airlines plane experienced turbulence. Despite the incident occurring primarily in the Asia region, the affected passengers hailed from various parts of the world, including Australia, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Spain, the United States, and Ireland.
Source: edition.cnn.com