21 Air Canada passengers injured by strong turbulence
CALGARY, Alberta -- Air Canada said Wednesday a flight en route from Shanghai to Toronto has been diverted to Calgary after emergency crews say heavy turbulence injured 21 passengers, including three children.
Emergency Medical Services spokesman Stuart Brideaux said Wednesday that those transported to Calgary area hospitals were in stable condition with non-life threatening injuries.
Air Canada spokeswoman Isabelle Arthur said that the Boeing 777 Air Canada flight AC088 was carrying 332 passengers and 19 crew members on Wednesday. She said the aircraft landed without incident.
Fire and other emergency crews were on hand when the plane landed.
Brideaux told CBS News transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave the injured passengers ranged in age from 11 to 81. He said seven patients specifically complained of neck and back pain and were immobilized as a precaution.
Brideaux said he expected "a great majority will very likely be seen and treated in short order."