Singaporean passenger dies on board Tigerair plane

A Singaporean man died on board a Tigerair flight that was en route to Singapore from Chiang Mai on Tuesday (Jan 12) evening. 

The 58-year-old man was travelling with his family and Thai wife on board flight TR2177. Thai news website Khaosod named the passenger as Mr Seet Ngow Chai.

According to his wife, he had been suffering from a chronic illness and fell ill on the flight. As a result, the pilot made a diversion to Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok to seek medical help but the man died on the plane.

A spokesman for the budget airline said the passenger had collapsed on board. 

"Our immediate concern is for the next-of-kin and we are doing what we can to assist them," the spokesman said.

His body was taken to the Police General Hospital for an autopsy, Thai PBS reported, and local police are carrying out further investigations. 

The airline added that the flight flew back from Bangkok and landed safely in Singapore with the rest of the passengers. 

maryanns@sph.com.sg