This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-48959355

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Turbulence injures 37 on Air Canada flight to Sydney Turbulence injures 37 on Air Canada flight to Sydney
(about 2 hours later)
At least 37 people have been injured on board an Air Canada flight that hit severe turbulence and had to make an emergency landing. At least 37 people were injured on board an Air Canada flight after the plane hit severe turbulence and had to make an emergency landing.
The plane - carrying 284 passengers and crew - was travelling from Vancouver to Sydney but was diverted to Hawaii. The plane, carrying 284 passengers and crew, was travelling from Vancouver to Sydney but was diverted to Hawaii.
Thirty people were taken to hospital in Honolulu on Thursday. Nine had severe injuries, officials say. Thirty people were taken to hospital in Honolulu on Thursday. Nine had severe injuries, officials said.
Air Canada said the Boeing 777-200 jet "encountered sudden clear air turbulence... two hours past Hawaii".Air Canada said the Boeing 777-200 jet "encountered sudden clear air turbulence... two hours past Hawaii".
It added that it was arranging hotels in Honolulu until a new flight to Australia could be arranged. Passengers reported the cabin being bloodied and dented from passengers hitting the ceiling of the aircraft.
The plane landed in Hawaii at 06:46 local time (16:46 GMT) on Thursday. "We all hit the roof and everything fell down," Jess Smith told local TV station KHON. "People went flying."
"We hit turbulence and we all hit the roof, and everything fell down... people went flying," Jess Smith, a passenger on board the flight, told local TV station KHON. Alex Macdonald, from Brisbane, told Canadian broadcaster CBC News that those on board were "extremely shocked".
"Some people that weren't strapped in, you saw them rise in the air and hit their heads on the roof and everything, so it was quite intense," another passenger told the station. "I saw the people ahead of me hitting the overhead baggage compartments and then just slamming back into their seats," she said.
Alex Macdonald, from Brisbane, told Canadian broadcaster CBC News the passengers on board were "extremely shocked". Photographs taken inside the aircraft show that oxygen masks were released and service trolleys thrown over during the incident. An Instagram post from one passenger showed he and others wearing neck braces in the airport.
"I saw the people ahead of me hitting the overhead baggage compartments and then just slamming back into their seats," she added. An Australian country band, Hurricane Fall, were also on the flight at the time. The band said in a Facebook post that their vocalist had sustained injuries to his arm and elbow but had been released from hospital.
Photographs taken inside the aircraft show that oxygen masks were released and service trolleys thrown over during the incident. The plane landed in Hawaii at 06:46 local time (16:46 GMT) on Thursday. The airline said it was arranging hotels in Honolulu until a new flight to Australia could be arranged.
What is Clear Air Turbulence? What is clear air turbulence?
CAT - clear air turbulence - occurs in otherwise calm, clear blue skies, without any visual indication such as clouds.CAT - clear air turbulence - occurs in otherwise calm, clear blue skies, without any visual indication such as clouds.
It is caused when masses of air moving at different speeds meet, and can't be identified by the naked eye or conventional radar. It occurs when masses of air moving at different speeds meet but can't be identified by the naked eye or conventional radar.
Pilots use reports from other aircraft, passed on via air traffic control, to keep track of patches of CAT.Pilots use reports from other aircraft, passed on via air traffic control, to keep track of patches of CAT.
Passengers have reported the cabin being bloodied and dented from passengers hitting the ceiling of the aircraft. Airlines usually recommend passengers always keep their seatbelts on while seated in case of unexpected turbulence.
A social media post from one passenger showed him wearing a neck brace in the airport, along with the caption: "Unexpected holiday in Hawaii"
An Australian country band, Hurricane Fall, were also on the flight at the time.
They confirmed in a Facebook post their vocalist had sustained injuries to his arm and elbow, but had been released from hospital.
Were you on board the flight? Tell us about your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Were you on board the flight? Tell us about your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or use the form belowOr use the form below