National

Turbulence Hit Air Canada Jet From China Lands In Calgary, 20 Passengers Injured

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 30 Dec, 2015 04:50 PM

CALGARY — Passengers needed to be taken from a jet strapped to back boards after an overseas flight to Toronto encountered turbulence Wednesday and diverted to Calgary.

Several stretchers were needed to transport people from the Air Canada Boeing 777 through the Calgary airport terminal to waiting ambulances.

Some had their necks stabilized with towels and medical tape. Others were sitting upright. One person had a towel over their face.

Air Canada spokeswoman Isabelle Arthur said flight AC088 hit turbulence on en route to Toronto from Shanghai. A website that track air-traffic control data showed the plane changed course over northern British Columbia.

First injured passenger brought out by EMS, being loaded in ambulance now #ac88 pic.twitter.com/rmhSNeTrTf
— Meghan Grant (@CBCMeg) December 30, 2015

"While Air Canada can confirm that there were some injuries due to turbulence encountered en route requiring hospitalization for assessment, an exact number is not available at this time," Arthur wrote in an email Wednesday.

A Calgary Fire Department spokeswoman said they were told up to 20 people were injured. A spokesman for Emergency Medical Services, Stuart Brideaux, said none of the injuries was life threatening.

The flight was carrying 332 passengers and 19 crew members.

Ambulances lined up in front of the terminal, ready to ferry patients away.

The airport authority was to release more details on the situation Wednesday evening.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Liberal Wave Reaches Metro Vancouver As Rest Of B.C. Splits Along Party Lines

The map of election winners in British Columbia mirrored the political spectrum after Monday's election — NDP on the left, Conservatives on the right and Liberals down the middle.

Liberal Wave Reaches Metro Vancouver As Rest Of B.C. Splits Along Party Lines

19 Indian-Canadians Elected To Canadian Parliament

The Indian-Canadians more than doubled their representation in the Canadian parliament from eight to 19 as Canadians voted out the Conservative Party by handing out a landslide to the Liberal Party on Monday.

19 Indian-Canadians Elected To Canadian Parliament

Justin Trudeau Emerges As Political Force In Own Right, Out From Father's Shadow

OTTAWA — It seems somehow fitting that the son of the man who first fired up political passion in Stephen Harper should be the person to usher him out of politics.

Justin Trudeau Emerges As Political Force In Own Right, Out From Father's Shadow

In D.C. Bar, Canadians Involved In Foreign Affairs Cheer End Of The Harper Era

It was a scene of cheers, high-fives, and sighs of relief about the demise of a Harper-era foreign policy they'd disdained for a decade, often in silence.

In D.C. Bar, Canadians Involved In Foreign Affairs Cheer End Of The Harper Era

Justin Trudeau Begins Healing Process After Divisive Election Campaign

MONTREAL — Justin Trudeau used his maiden speech as prime minister-designate to start the healing process for wounds torn open during a divisive election campaign.

Justin Trudeau Begins Healing Process After Divisive Election Campaign

First Nations Look Forward To New Relationship With Ottawa: Chiefs

Some of Canada's top First Nations leaders say the federal election awoke a sleeping giant that the incoming Liberal government will have to contend with.