Twenty-two people were injured when a large passenger plane needed to make an emergency landing in New York State after “extreme turbulence”.
The United Airlines Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner from Tel Aviv in Israel was heading for Newark Airport on Friday but was forced to touch down 70 miles away at New York Stewart International Airport.
The plane is said to have encountered high winds which led to customers complaining of nausea and chest pains in the turbulence.
Upon landing, seven passengers were rushed to hospital and another 15 were treated on site for injuries, the Sun reported on Saturday. There were 312 on board.
“United Airlines Flight 85 landed safely at New York Stewart International Airport around 6:45 p.m. local time on Friday, March 29, after the crew reported a passenger medical emergency,” the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told USA TODAY. “The Boeing 787 departed from Tel Aviv and was en route to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.”
United Airlines said: “On Friday, United flight 85 landed at Stewart International Airport (SWF) after reported high winds at Newark.
“One passenger deplaned due to a medical incident, and a few other customers were seen by medical personnel for possible motion sickness.
“The flight refuelled and continued to Newark.”
The plane, which was delayed leaving Israel, encountered the winds at about 6.30pm and an investigation into the incident is set to follow on