British woman describes horror when husband died after Singapore Airlines flight suffered extreme turbulence, leaving her with a fractured spine

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 10:50 EDT, 27 August 2026 | Updated: 10:50 EDT, 27 August 2026 A devastated British woman has described the horror of losing her husband and fracturing her spine after a Singapore Airlines flight suffered extreme turbulence. Linda and Geoff Kitchen, from Thornbury near Bristol, were jetting off from London Heathrow for a six-week tour of Singapore, Indonesia and Australia in May 2024. But in the middle of the flight, the Boeing 777-300ER that was carrying them suffered severe turbulence. The SQ321 flight plunged 178ft in just five seconds, sparking panic and chaos in the cabin. Photos from the flight showed oxygen masks had come down following the rapid descent. Another picture showed the galley in a state of total disarray, with bottles of wine and water strewn across the floor. Linda, 74, suffered spinal fractures and was placed in intensive care before she was transferred back to the UK ten days later for additional treatment.But the pain she suffered was nothing compared to the loss of her 73-year-old husband Geoff, who tragically died of a suspected heart attack. She told The Independent that the long-haul flight suffered turbulence ten hours in: 'There had been some turbulence over Europe and it had been shaky over the water, but it was around 10 hours into the flight when we encountered the main turbulence. It was so severe; it felt like the aircraft was dropping. Linda and Geoff Kitchen (both pictured) were jetting off from London Heathrow for a six-week tour of Singapore, Indonesia and Australia in May 2024 The interior of Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 is pictured after an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand, May 21, 202'The drop in altitude seemed to happen suddenly. I fell backwards and to the side and felt pain shooting through me. 'Geoff fell onto me and was squashing me into the armrest and I couldn't move him. I was screaming and somehow two passengers managed to come across and help him. 'They moved Geoff near the escape door and a doctor was called to carry out CPR on him.'Despite their best efforts, Geoff sadly died in the plane. Linda said she only found out about his passing two days later: 'When I got separated from Geoff I knew he was in a bad way, but nothing prepared me for hearing he had died. It was absolutely devastating.'What followed was an emotional and distressing time as I tried to come to terms with Geoff's death and the reality that I would never see him again, while also coping with considerable pain from my own injuries.'Geoff left behind the couple's two children, aged 48 and 45, as well as four grandchildren. Linda is now suing Singapore Airlines, having submitted two claims to the High Court. Her family is also waiting on an inquest into Geoff's death to take place. Others have also launched legal action against the firm. Anthe Korelidou, the specialist aviation lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Linda said: 'All Linda wants is for the most thorough investigations to be conducted. Geoff left behind the couple's two children, aged 48 and 45, as well as four grandchildren The galley was in a state of total disarray, with bottles of wine and water strewn across the floor Oxygen masks had come down following the rapid descent'The issuing of High Court proceedings is a major milestone in being able to provide Geoff's loved ones with the answers they deserve.' Following the tragedy, Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong apologised for the 'traumatic experience' of those on the plane. The Daily Mail has contacted Singapore Airlines for comment.