Hawaii
36 people injured, including 11 seriously, after HNL-bound flight hits severe turbulence
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – At the least 36 folks had been injured, together with 11 significantly, Sunday after a Hawaiian Airways flight from Phoenix to Honolulu hit extreme turbulence about half-hour earlier than touchdown.
The turbulence despatched some passengers flying out of their seats and at the least one hit the ceiling.
Paramedics and emergency medical technicians handled passengers — ranging in age from 14 months to adults — for a protracted checklist of accidents, together with severe head accidents, cuts, bruises and lack of consciousness.
Firefighters, ambulance crews and the federal Plane Rescue Firefighting Crew had been known as to the airport for the “mass casualty emergency” about 11 a.m., assembly the plane at Gate 10A.
Of these injured, 20 folks had been taken to emergency rooms.
Eleven had been in severe situation and 9 had been in secure situation, a Honolulu EMS spokesperson stated.
The Nationwide Climate Service stated the extreme turbulence occurred at about 36,000 toes.
“We consider the flight could have gone by means of a thunderstorm, which can have prompted the extreme turbulence,” stated NWS meteorologist Genki Kino. “Throughout that point, there have been scattered thunderstorms in all places.”
Somebody onboard the flight recognized it as Hawaiian Airways Flight 35 from Phoenix to Honolulu.
Passenger Kaylee Reyes stated the extreme turbulence occurred about half-hour earlier than touchdown. Her mom had simply sat down when the incident occurred and hadn’t had an opportunity to buckle her seatbelt.
“She flew up and hit the ceiling,” Reyes stated, including the turbulence got here out of nowhere.
HNN has reached out to officers and Hawaiian Airways for extra particulars.
The incident comes as a robust chilly entrance begins to affect the state, bringing the specter of sturdy winds, torrential rains and thunderstorms.
This story is breaking. Please examine again for updates.
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