25 injured as severe turbulence hits Hong Kong-bound flight

[Jar Jar Binks]

25 injured as severe turbulence hits Hong Kong-bound flight

PUBLISHED : Wednesday, 16 July, 2014, 1:26pm
UPDATED : Wednesday, 16 July, 2014, 9:58pm

Clifford Lo, Lo Wei, Johnny Tam, Victoria Duthie

South African Airways flight 286 stands on the tarmac as emergency crews unload the injured passengers. Photo: SCMP

At least 25 passengers were injured, two seriously, when a Hong Kong-bound plane hit severe turbulence this morning.

South African Airways flight 286 was on its way from Johannesburg when the flight was suddently tossed about, throwing passengers out of their seats.

Many flew up and hit the cabin ceiling, witnesses told the South China Morning Post, causing head and neck injuries.

Brian Heuer, who was on the flight with his wife, said many passengers were asleep when the plane hit the turbulence as it passed over Singapore, adding: "'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.

Passengers from flight SA286 arrive at Yan Chai Hospital in Tsuen Wan after sustaining injuries in turbulence. Photo: Lo Wei

"A lot of the passengers were scared but generally speaking the crew had it under control and the landing was very good," she said.

David Mkumbuje, who was travelling alone on a business trip to Guangzhou, said the rough patch lasted 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.

The flight landed at Chek Lap Kok Airport at about 12.30pm, the Civil Aviation Department said, where a fleet of ambulances and fire crews were waiting.

“The flight hit severe turbulence outside Hong Kong airspace,” a Civil Aviation Department spokeswoman said, adding that they were notified of the incident at 11.10am.

A passenger is unloaded from an ambulance at Princess Margaret Hospital, while journalists look on. Photo: Victoria Duthie

A police spokesman said a total of 25 people had been hurt in the turbulence - two of them badly - with 20 needing hospital treatment.

Both seriously injured passengers were men, one of whom suffered neck injuries.

Those hurt were taken to North Lantau Hospital on Lantau, Princess Margaret Hospital in Kwai Chung and Yan Chai Hospital in Tsuen Wan.

Nine passengers and crew arrived at Princess Margaret Hospital at about 1.30pm. Three were stretchered in with head injuries, while the rest were able to walk in.

Eight people remained in hospital as of 10pm on Wednesday.

An Airport Authority spokeswoman said they had received a report from the airport's control centre at 11am saying an incoming flight arriving from Johannesburg was in need of assistance. She said the operation of the airport had not been affected by the incident.

A fire department spokesman said 14 ambulances, four fire engines, a mobile casualty treatment centre and a mobile command unit were sent to the scene.

South African Airways currently operates daily passenger flights between Johannesburg and Hong Kong, using A340-600 aircraft.

Passengers in wheelchairs arrive at hospital after being thrown around during a flight from South Africa to Hong Kong. Photo: Lo Wei