KUALA LUMPUR – The 32-year-old Malaysian cabin crew member, who was injured onboard Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321, has to undergo spinal surgery today, said Malaysian ambassador to Thailand Datuk Jojie Samuel.
The man is said to be in critical but stable condition as he sustained head and back injuries when the plane was hit by severe turbulence on Tuesday, reported the Straits Times.
The man also underwent surgery yesterday.
Yesterday, Jojie said three of the Malaysian passengers were in the intensive care unit (ICU), but none were in critical condition.
They were being monitored in the ICU due to their head and back injuries.
“The other six Malaysians who are also warded due to dizziness and minor injuries are in stable condition and also under doctor’s surveillance,” he told Bernama.
The SQ321 flight with 211 passengers and 18 crew members was travelling from London to Singapore when it encountered sudden extreme turbulence over the Irrawaddy Basin at an altitude of 37,000ft, approximately 10 hours after departure.
The pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to Bangkok, landing at 3.45pm local time on Tuesday.
The incident caused one death and multiple injuries. Suvarnabhumi Airport director Kittipong Kittikachorn said the only fatality in the incident was a 73-year-old British man.
Thailand’s Public Health Ministry spokesperson, Trichada Sritada, said a total of 41 patients were treated at Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, 14 at Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital, and two at Bangkok Hospital. – May 23, 2024