In a remarkable display of bravery, a backpacker from Wales, Toby Pearl, rushed to the aid of a fellow passenger who suffered a fatal heart attack aboard a Singapore Airlines flight hit by severe turbulence. The incident occurred on Tuesday during a flight from London Heathrow to Singapore, which was forced to make an emergency landing.

Despite sustaining injuries himself, Toby Pearl, a healthcare worker from Abergavenny, immediately sprang into action to help Geoff Kitchen, 73, who collapsed during the turbulence. Recounting the incident, Pearl stated, "Without really thinking, I jumped out of my seat and over the aisle." He, along with a doctor and a nurse, worked tirelessly for 30 minutes, performing CPR on Mr. Kitchen. Unfortunately, their efforts were in vain, and Mr. Kitchen passed away before the plane could land.

The flight, which was en route to Australia, encountered severe turbulence over the Indian Ocean approximately ten hours after takeoff. Amidst the chaos, twenty-two people suffered spinal injuries, while six others are currently in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, as confirmed by the director at Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital in Bangkok on Thursday.

Mr. Pearl, who had planned to embark on a year-long backpacking journey in Cairns, Australia, was joined by his friend Liam James-Morris, who intended to spend three months on a break from his sport nutrition degree. Little did they expect the harrowing ordeal that awaited them. Both friends described the turbulence as sudden and violent, leaving passengers with no time to react. They believed the plane was going down and feared for their lives.

Amidst the chaos, passengers were thrown into the air, and drinks trolleys and personal belongings flew about the cabin. James-Morris, who had his seatbelt fastened, remained unharmed, while Pearl landed on another passenger several rows behind him. The situation intensified as the sound of people making last-minute phone calls to loved ones filled the air. The sheer terror was palpable.

Within seconds of the turbulence, cries for first aid-trained assistance and an automated external defibrillator (AED) rang out. Toby Pearl and the medical professionals on board responded immediately. While the doctor assessed the injured passengers, Pearl continued performing CPR on Mr. Kitchen. Despite their best efforts, the severity of the turbulence made it difficult to maintain a stable rhythm on the AED, ultimately resulting in Mr. Kitchen's tragic demise.

Acknowledging the bravery displayed by his friend, James-Morris stated, "I couldn't be more proud of him. He literally put himself in danger – nobody knew what was going on. He just went straight into it headfirst." Pearl, however, humbly credited his prior experience as a healthcare worker for his ability to offer assistance in such a critical situation.

As they disembarked from the plane, both friends sought solace in connecting with other passengers, forming a supportive community to help process the traumatic event. They also expressed gratitude for the exceptional care provided by Singapore Airlines. Options to continue their journey to Cairns were offered, and the pair plans to fly out on Sunday.

As investigations into the cause of the turbulence progress, six people from the Singapore Airlines flight remain in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the bravery and resilience shown by individuals in the face of adversity.