Severe turbulence struck a South African Airways plane that was heading to Hong Kong Wednesday morning, injuring at least 25 passengers before it made a safe landing, the airline said. Passengers on Flight 286 were immediately assisted by waiting medics at the Hong Kong airport.
The flight was on its way from Johannesburg Tuesday when it suddenly experienced turbulence and tossed around, throwing several passengers out of their seats, witnesses told the South China Morning Post. Many victims suffered head and neck injuries after flying up and hitting the cabin ceiling.
Many passengers were asleep when the plane hit the turbulence as it passed over Singapore, Brian Heuer, who was on the flight with his wife, said. "'Most of the injured hit their heads on the roof of the cabin." Another passenger, who wished to be identified only as Caroline, said most of the injured had been sitting at the rear of the plane. "A lot of the passengers were scared but generally speaking the crew had it under control and the landing was very good," she said.
The rough patch during Wednesday's turbulence was described by David Mkumbuje, who was travelling alone on a business trip to Guangzhou, to last for several minutes. "It was like the end of the world," he said, adding that he had bumped and scratched his head.
Following the incident, the aircraft's pilots radioed ahead to Hong Kong requesting assistance upon landing at Chek Lap Kok Airport around 12:30 p.m., where a fleet of ambulances and fire crews were confirmed to be waiting, the Civil Aviation Department said. "The flight hit severe turbulence outside Hong Kong airspace," a Civil Aviation Department spokeswoman said, adding that they were notified of the incident at 11:10 a.m.
A total of 25 people were injured in the turbulence, with two men reported to be in critical condition and 20 other passengers requiring hospital treatment, according to South China Morning Post. An infant was among the injured passengers, the airline said in a news release.
Those hurt were taken to North Lantau Hospital on Lantau, Princess Margaret Hospital in Kwai Chung and Yan Chai Hospital in Tsuen Wan. As of 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, two people remained in hospital for treatment.
Interior panels of the aircraft were also damaged and the plane's cabin was cracked during the incident.
