Hawaii flight turbulence injures passengers.
Eleven people have been seriously injured during severe turbulence on a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Phoenix to Honolulu.
Nine others were transported in a stable condition, the Honolulu Emergency Medical Services said.
The incident happened shortly before the aircraft, carrying 278 passengers and 10 crew, came in to land on Sunday.
A passenger, Kaylee Reyes, told Hawaii News Now that her mother had just sat down when the turbulence hit, adding that she did not even have an opportunity to tighten the seat belt.
“She flew up and hit the ceiling,” Ms Reyes said.
According to reports, the plane began its descent immediately after turbulence hit the plane with the crew declaring an emergency due to the number of injuries on board.
Jim Ireland, director of Honolulu Emergency Medical Services, said 36 people received treatment, a number that included those with nausea or minor injuries.
He said 20 people were taken to hospitals, including 11 people deemed to be in serious condition.
“We are also very happy and we feel fortunate that there were not any deaths or other critical injuries. And we’re also very hopeful that all will recover and make a full recovery,” he said.
The airline was aware of the weather forecast and the unstable air and weather conditions, but had no warning the particular patch of air where the turbulence occurred “was in any way dangerous.”
“(Flight) HA35 from PHX to HNL encountered severe turbulence & landed safely in HNL at 10.50am today,” the airline said in a statement posted to Twitter.
“Medical care was provided to several guests [and] crew members at the airport for minor injuries while some were swiftly transported to local hospitals for further care.”
The airline said it was conducting a “thorough investigation” of the plane – an Airbus A330 – before it returns to service.
[adblockingdetector id="638efa67113bf"]