During a flight from Singapore to London, several members of the British Airways cabin crew reportedly suffered severe injuries in an unusual incident of severe flight turbulence. The incident occurred aboard a nine-year-old Boeing 777-300 aircraft, which experienced clear air turbulence, causing it to descend rapidly 1,000 feet over the Bay of Bengal.
Three crew members were injured and subsequently transported to the hospital after being subjected to the violent turbulence a couple of hours into the 14-hour flight. One crew member sustained a potential leg fracture, another suffered a significant head injury and the third suffered a broken femur when forcefully propelled into the air.
Passengers on board the aircraft mentioned that they had already been instructed to fasten their seatbelts before the severe turbulence occurred. However, the cabin crew, who were collecting trays from the initial meal service, were unable to secure themselves in time.
The actions of the cabin crew members, as well as the assistance provided by a doctor who happened to be present on the flight, have been commended by witnesses. British Airways flight BA12 departed from Singapore late on Thursday evening, and it promptly diverted back to Singapore Changi Airport two hours into the journey.
The Crew Responded Appropriately
In a statement, a spokesperson for British Airways emphasized the airline’s unwavering commitment to safety and highlighted that the crew responded appropriately by returning to Singapore as a precautionary measure. The spokesperson apologized to customers for the delay to their flight and stated that the affected passengers were provided with accommodation and information regarding their consumer rights. British Airways diligently is arranging for passengers to be rebooked on the next available flights, both with their airline and with other carriers.
British Airways advises passengers to always wear their seatbelts as turbulence, particularly clear air turbulence, can occur unexpectedly. According to Daily Mail, crew managers are providing support to the injured aircrew members before their return to London.