Dozens Of Passengers Hurt When JFK-Bound Flight Hits Heavy Turbulence
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Dozens of passengers on a flight bound for John F. Kennedy International Airport were injured during a severe bout of turbulence Saturday evening.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey says Turkish Air flight 1 was travelling from Istanbul to New York when it encountered intense turbulence mid-flight and declared an emergency.
#FDNY confirms total patients treated at JFK Airport following a turbulent flight have been downgraded to 29 non-life-threatening injuries. FDNY continues to operate on scene.
— FDNY (@FDNY) March 10, 2019
After the aircraft landed shortly after 5:30 p.m., the FDNY says 29 passengers, including three children, were treated for non-life threatening injuries.
At least seven of the passengers were taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center as the rest were evaluated for bumps and bruises on-scene.
The aircraft was carrying more than 300 passengers and crew members.
The Port Authority said other airport operations were not affected in what was the second mishap involving a plane in the New York metropolitan area.
Earlier Saturday, Newark Airport temporarily closed its runways after a flight from Montreal to Fort Lauderdale made an emergency landing with smoke in its cargo hold.
Turkish Air didn't immediately respond to request for comment. The incident remains under investigation.
(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)