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HONOLULU: At least 36 people were injured, including 11 seriously, Sunday after a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Phoenix to Honolulu hit severe turbulence about 30 minutes before landing.
https://twitter.com/mmnewsdottv/status/1604686690425225216
Reports suggested that the flight was traveling from Phoenix, Arizona and hit severe turbulence about 30 minutes from landing in Honolulu on Sunday. The turbulence sent some passengers flying out of their seats and at least one hit the ceiling.
FIRST LOOK: Inside @HawaiianAir flight 35 after the flight from Phoenix to Honolulu hit a violent patch of turbulence.
36 people needed medical attention, 20 people taken to hospital.
Live updates on @12News at 10
Courtesy: MeanHawaiii#News #AZ #Hawaii #Valley #PHX #HNL pic.twitter.com/qA5rGE9ei4— Jonathan McCall (@JonathanMcCall) December 19, 2022
“The airline is supporting all affected passengers and employees,” an airline spokesperson said.
Shortly before the aircraft landed, dozens of firefighters, paramedics and the state Aircraft Rescue Firefighting Team were called to the airport for the “mass casualty emergency,” meeting the aircraft at the gate.
The National Weather Service said the severe turbulence happened at about 36,000 feet.
“We believe the flight may have gone through a thunderstorm, which may have caused the severe turbulence,” said NWS meteorologist Genki Kino. “During that time, there were scattered thunderstorms everywhere.”
Passenger Kaylee Reyes said the plane was about 30 minutes from landing when the severe turbulence hit. Her mother had just sat down when the incident happened and hadn’t had a chance to buckle her seatbelt.
“She flew up and hit the ceiling,” Reyes said, adding the turbulence came out of nowhere.
