Heavy turbulence injures several aboard Air Canada flight from Shanghai

World Today

air canadaHeavy turbulence injures several aboard Air Canada flight from Shanghai. Still image from video/ Dave Dormer-Calgary Sun.

Air Canada says that a flight en route from Shanghai to Toronto has been diverted to Calgary after emergency crews say heavy turbulence injured about 20 passengers.

Responders were dispatched to Calgary International Airport to treat the injured passengers.

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 says the aircraft landed without incident.

There was no official word on the severity of the injuries. But the @AirCanada Twitter account tweeted some information and issued a press release.  

Air Canada confirms incident

MONTREAL, Dec. 30, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ – Air Canada provides the following update:
Flight AC088, en route to Toronto from Shanghai, was diverted to Calgary where it landed without incident at 15:23 MT (17:23 ET) today.

Air Canada teams are meeting with passengers.  At this time the airline can confirm that passengers and crew have been examined by medical personnel following turbulence encountered en route and 21 passengers have been transferred directly to local hospitals from the airport comprising eight with non-life threatening injuries and 13 for observation. Air Canada will be making arrangements to accommodate all other passengers including those continuing on to Toronto.

The passenger list indicates the Boeing 777-300ER was carrying 332 passengers and 19 crew members.

A full investigation of the incident is being undertaken.

Further details will be provided as more information becomes available.

SOURCE Air Canada

Fire and other emergency crews were on hand when the plane landed.

Story from The Associated Press.