Fourteen passengers on board a flight from Panama City to Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, United States, were injured, on Tuesday, when the plane struck severe turbulence.
Those on board United flight 1031 said passengers were tossed around like rag dolls and that one woman was even slammed into the ceiling.
The plane struct turbulence mid-way through the flight, while cruising 80 miles east of Cancun, Mexico around 1.40pm – on the outskirts of Tropical Storm Cindy.
The plane was able to continue on to their final destination of Houston, and landed without incident.
Paramedics met the plane on the ground to assist with the more than a dozen injured passengers.
Of the 160 that were on board, 14 were injured and seven were taken to the hospital.
Those injured included teens, grandparents and a crew member.
Authorities say some of the passengers were taken to the hospital for anxiety, chest pain and shortness of breath, but most simply had minor bumps, bruises and neck pain. There was no word on their conditions.
Following the incident, the airline issued a statement saying their thoughts and concerns are with the injured.
“United flight 1031 experienced turbulence while en route from Panama City, Panama to Houston. Paramedics met the aircraft to provide medical care and initial reports are that nine customers and one crew member were transported to the hospital for evaluation. Our thoughts and concerns are with those who were injured and our team is reaching out directly to our customers to provide further care and support,” the statement reads.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration also confirmed the incident in a statement.
Some of the injured passengers being taken to the hospital (inset: the aircraft on ground at Houston airport) 