At least 37 people have been injured when they were on an Air Canada flight which hit severe turbulence and had to make an emergency landing. The plane was travelling from Vancouver to Sydney but was diverted to Hawaii.
Air Canada said the Boeing 777-200 jet “encountered sudden clear air turbulence… two hours past Hawaii”.
Thirty people were taken to hospital, injuries included cuts, bumps, bruises, neck pain and back pain. Photos from onboard the plane showed the oxygen masks were released.
Clear air turbulence occurs in calm, clear blue skies without any clouds etc. It is caused when large masses of air moving at different speeds meet and cannot be seen with the naked eye or a radar.
Passenger Michael Bailey told Hawaii News Now: “It was pretty quick. And a lot of people hit the ceiling.
“A lot of screaming. In the seat in front of me, the girl hit her head, and actually snapped and broke it (the ceiling compartment).
“It was scary for a brief moment, and then the plane levelled out.”
In a statement, the airline said: “Our first priority is always the safety of our flights, passengers and crew and as a precaution, medical personnel are on standby to examine passengers in Honolulu.
“We are currently making arrangements for the passengers including hotel accommodations and meals in Honolulu, as well as options for resumption of the flight.”
