Turbulence injures passengers on flight diverted to Miami

Eight people were hospitalized on Friday morning after a flight bound for New York was diverted to Miami International Airport following severe turbulence, authorities said.

“Avianca” Flight 42 was travelling from Medellin, Colombia, to John F. Kennedy International Airport when it encountered the turbulence, Miami International Airport officials said.

The aircraft landed safely at about 3:30 a.m. local time (0730 GMT), Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said. Eight people were injured, including one who was taken to a trauma centre.

However, airline officials told “CBS News Miami” that nine people were injured: three crew members and six passengers.

Maria Paula Jimenez, a passenger at the airport when the plane arrived, said several ambulances were waiting nearby. She described seeing more than five or six ambulances, seven with their lights on, close to the area where passengers were due to disembark.

“Avianca” said its airport team was helping the remaining passengers make arrangements to continue their journey to New York.