Injured passengers stretchered off Delta flight after major turbulence
Almost a dozen passengers were hospitalised after their plane hit ‘major’ turbulence.
11 people were injured, with some removed from the flight on a stretcher, after the Delta Air Lines flight from Milan, Italy to Atlanta, Georgia was rocked by turbulence.
The plane was about 40 miles away from its destination, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, when the crew reported severe turbulence, the MailOnline reports.
US Federal Aviation Administration has said it will investigate the incident.
A couple who were passengers on the flight said: ‘Looked to be about 12 people with serious head injuries. Several flight attendants, too. Bunch of blood and awfulness.
‘My fiancée and I are so freaked out, we are renting a car and driving to our final destination instead.’
The couple said all passengers were kept onboard for an additional two hours while those who were injured were triaged.
A number of passengers were seen holding ice packs to their heads.
Delta confirmed 11 out of 151 passengers were hospitalised, but provided no further details on their injuries or the condition of the people involved.
There were also 10 flight attendants and four pilots on board.
The flight landed safely on Tuesday evening.
A spokesman for Delta said: ‘Our priority is taking care of our customers and crew who sustained injuries.
‘We are grateful for the first responders who met the aircraft to provide medical attention and who are transporting the injured to [the] hospital.’
Delta also said it had provided food, lodgings and re-bookings for uninjured customers.
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