A couple from Co Kilkenny, aged in their 20s, were among the four people from Ireland who were on the Singapore Airlines flight that experienced “sudden extreme turbulence” this week.
Two of the four people from Ireland who were on board, a man and a woman from Co Kilkenny, confirmed they were taken to a hospital in Bangkok following the emergency landing on Tuesday.
The Irish man's head "went through the panel above his head," the couple, who did not want to be named publicly, told The Irish Times on Wednesday.
"When the plane landed in Bangkok he was checked over in hospital and X-rayed and given the all-clear thankfully.”
The woman was not injured but was left traumatized.
The couple, who was planning to travel on to Australia from Singapore, was given hotel accommodation in Bangkok overnight. They have since traveled on to Singapore, upgraded to business class, and were awaiting another flight to their destination of Australia.
“The experience was horrible and the flight to Singapore today had turbulence too,” the Kilkenny woman told The Irish Times.
“There was an awful feeling of not being able to breathe.
“There were nightmares too overnight.”
Singapore Airlines said on Tuesday that its flight, a Boeing 777-300ER departed London's Heathrow Airport on Monday, May 20 bound for Singapore, “encountered sudden extreme turbulence over the Irrawaddy Basin at 37,000 feet about 10 hours after departure.
“The pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted the aircraft to Bangkok, and landed at 1545hrs [3:45 pm] local time on 21 May 2024.”
A 73-year-old British man, who officials say had a heart condition, died during the ordeal. Dozens of others were injured, some critically.
See inside the Singapore Airlines plane which had to make an emergency landing, after a 73-year-old British man died from a suspected heart attack during the turbulence on the London-Singapore flight
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Singapore Airlines confirmed on Tuesday that there were four people from Ireland on the flight. Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs subsequently confirmed it was aware of the situation and that “the Embassy is in close contact with the relevant Thai authorities and stands ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance.”
The Irish couple was among the 211 passengers and 18 crew members who were on board the flight.
Singapore Airlines confirmed on Wednesday that 131 passengers and 12 crew members had arrived in Singapore from Bangkok via a relief flight. An additional five passengers were set to arrive in Singapore later on Wednesday.
74 passengers and six crew members are still in Bangkok on Wednesday, the airline said. This includes those receiving medical care, as well as their family members and loved ones who were on the flight.
One crew member is scheduled to return to Singapore on Thursday.
Peter Seah, Chairman of Singapore Airlines, said: “On behalf of the Singapore Airlines Board, I extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of our passenger who passed away on 21 May 2024 in the SQ321 incident.
"I assure all passengers and crew members who were on board the aircraft that we are committed to supporting them during this difficult time.
"I also wish to express my gratitude to everyone in Singapore, Thailand, and around the world who are assisting those affected by this incident.”
Family members and loved ones seeking information may contact the Singapore Airlines hotlines at +65 6542 3311 (Singapore), 1800-845-313 (Australia), and 080-0066-8194 (the United Kingdom).
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