A THORNBURY woman is suing an airline after her husband died and she was seriously injured during an extreme turbulence incident.
Geoff Kitchen, a retired insurance manager and prominent supporter of the town’s arts scene, died in 2024 after suffering a cardiac arrest when a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore experienced a sudden drop in altitude.
More than 100 other passengers including his wife, Linda, were injured.
Linda has now started legal proceedings in the High Court against Singapore Airlines.
Her solicitors say the family ‘deserves answers’ as to why the incident happened.
Geoff, who was 73, worked for insurance giant Axa then insurance software company Acturis before he retired.
He was a key figure in Thornbury Musical Theatre Group (TMTG), both on and off stage, for 35 years and had a wider commitment to culture in the town, including campaigning to reopen arts venue the Armstrong Hall.
Linda, now 74, has spoken for the first time about the incident and the devastating impact it has had on her family, including their two children, aged 48 and 45, and four grandchildren.
Linda, a retired careers advisor, and Geoff were on their way to Singapore, Indonesia and Australia for a six-week holiday in May 2024 when the flight they were on experienced a sudden drop in altitude.
Linda said: “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.
“I noticed my Kindle and Geoff’s phone had fallen to the floor and I thought the plane was going down.”
Linda had kept her seatbelt on but nevertheless suffered spinal fractures in the incident.
She said: “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.”
After the aircraft landed Linda was taken to hospital and placed in intensive care.
‘Absolutely devastating’
It was not until two days later that she found out her husband of 52 years had died.
Linda said: “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.
“I spent ten days in hospital before I was airlifted back to Bristol.
“I was in so much pain that the journey was a blur.
“Once back in the UK, I remained in hospital for around a week and, following my discharge, required significant assistance at home.
“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.
“The last two years have been incredibly difficult.
“Losing Geoff was a crushing blow to the whole family, as we all thought he would be around to see his grandchildren grow up.
“We had a happy and fulfilled marriage and now I’ve lost my soulmate.
“He was also popular in the community, especially through his work with Thornbury Musical Theatre Group, and many others continue to feel the effect of his death.
“I know nothing can bring Geoff back, but I feel I owe it to him to at least get some answers and understand the circumstances surrounding his death.”
Linda has appointed Irwin Mitchell solicitors to pursue legal action against the airline.
The firm’ specialist aviation lawyer Anthe Korelidou said: “While it’s more than two years since Geoff’s death, Linda and the rest of her family continue to have a number of questions and concerns about what happened, and if more could have been done to prevent their injuries.
“All Linda wants is for the most thorough investigations to be conducted.
“The issuing of High Court proceedings is a major milestone in being able to provide Geoff’s loved ones with the answers they deserve.”
A spokesperson for Singapore Airlines told the Voice it was unable to comment on matters which are before the courts.