Singapore flight turbulence: Passengers suffered skull, brain and spinal injuries

The head of a Bangkok hospital has said that passengers and crew onboard a Singapore Airlines flight that hit severe turbulence suffered skull, brain and spinal injuries. The flight was carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew from London to Singapore.

A hospital official said on Thursday (May 23) that 20 people who were aboard remain in intensive care in the Thai capital, where flight SQ321 made an emergency landing on Tuesday (May 21) after turbulence at 11,300 metres (37,000 feet).

"The number of patients in ICU remains the same," Adinun Kittiratanapaibool, Director of Bangkok's Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital told reporters, referring to the medical facility's intensive care unit.

He further added that the "meaning of those in ICU are those that need close attention". He mentioned that currently there were no life-threatening cases.

Kittiratanapaibool said that his staff were treating six people for skull and brain injuries, 22 for spinal injuries, and 13 for bone, muscle and other injuries.

"We have never treated people with these kinds of injuries caused by turbulence," he told reporters, further adding that the injuries at the hospital range from two to 83 in age.

In a horrific incident, the Boeing 777-300ER hit "sudden extreme turbulence" over Myanmar. Some of the passengers and crew were slammed into the ceiling. A 73-year-old British man died and 104 people were injured on the flight.

Watch:Gravitas: Singapore Airlines Turbulence: Should flight safety rules be changed?

In a report by the news agency AFP, one passenger said people were thrown around the cabin so violently they put dents in the ceiling.

In the aftermath, Singapore Airlines chief executive Goh Choon Phong apologised for the "traumatic experience" and expressed condolences to the family of the deceased.

(With inputs from agencies)