Kilkenny couple were on board turbulence-hit London to Singapore flight

A Kilkenny couple were among four Irish people who were on board the flight that hit severe turbulence between London and Singapore yesterday.

The local duo were taken to a hospital in Bangkok following an emergency landing. It's understood the man's head went through the overhead panel when the plane hit turbulence. The pair are in their 20s and do not want to be named publicly. 

A man who died on board has been named as 73-year-old Geoff Kitchen from Bristol. His wife was among 71 passengers who were injured.

The plane was forced to divert to Bangkok after hitting an air pocket and dropping 6,000 feet in minutes. The passengers finally reached Singapore on a relief flight early this morning.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that four Irish citizens were on the flight, but it is not yet known whether they were among the many injured people.

A department spokeswoman said: "We are aware that four Irish citizens were on board. The embassy is in close contact with the relevant Thai authorities and stands ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance."

Photographs from the interior of the plane showed gashes in the overhead cabin panels, oxygen masks and panels hanging from the ceiling and luggage strewn around.

One passenger spoke of some people's heads had slammed into the lights above the seats and broken the panels.

Aircraft tracking provider FlightRadar 24 said the flight encountered a rapid change in vertical rate, consistent with a sudden turbulence event, based on flight tracking data.

Singapore Airlines offered its condolences to the family of Mr Kitchen and said it has provided medical assistance to passengers who need it.