26 December 2023 , 16:08
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A passenger onboard a plane has described the moment 11 people were injured after they endured a bout of "freak turbulence".
The woman said they were travelling back to Manchester on a P&O Caribbean cruise charter flight from Barbados on Christmas Eve when the plane erupted into "sheer chaos" two hours into their journey. She compared the terrifying encounter to a rollercoaster and said it "felt like Oblivion at Alton Towers". The pilot was forced to divert to Bermuda as 11 passengers needed to be rushed to hospital after suffering from injuries on the aircraft.
The woman, who hasn't been named, said the experience was "so scary", adding the plane felt like it was "just going to keep dropping". She said: "We were about two hours into the flight and everything was fine - some people were sitting down, but some were in the toilets and staff were serving drinks. Then all of a sudden the plane literally just dropped."
She said they had not been warned they were about to experience turbulence and added: "I had my belt on very loose, so I was okay but I did feel myself lift off the chair. It felt like you could have been pulled off the seat. I just assumed it would keep on going."
The woman, who had been on a Caribbean cruise with her partner, said the incident lasted for about five seconds before stopping briefly and then repeating for another five seconds - during which she said "there was lots of screaming and lights flickering". She continued: "I've had turbulence on a plane before and it's just like a bit of rocking back and forth - but this was a proper drop."
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She and her partner had unexpectedly spent their Christmas in Bermuda and said the communication about their return flight was limited. However, she said the accomodation they were put up in was "lovely". reports Manchester Evening News. "I know it is unforeseen but our flights keep getting changed and we don't really know what is happening," she said.
Thankfully, each of the 11 passengers only sustained minor injuries, with nine of them having been discharged from hospital already. The Maleth Aero Flight 1975's 13 crew members were unharmed.
The emergency diversion meant passengers - who were due back to the UK on Sunday - had to spend Christmas Day and much of Boxing Day in Bermuda while the plane underwent legislative aircraft checks. The plane had taken off an hour late from Barbados and was expected to arrive at Manchester shortly before 6am on December 24. Two-and-a-half hours into the flight, while cruising at 38,000 feet, the Airbus A300-200 experienced severe “clear-air turbulence”.
A P&O spokesperson said: "We have sent seven texts (to the lead name on each booking) and five letters since Christmas Eve to ensure regular and up to date information. Obviously, this is certainly not what we would have wanted for our guests but we worked round the clock with the airline and hotels to ensure the guests were well looked after."
The spokesperson told The Mirror: Following freak (unexpected) turbulence a flight from Barbados to Manchester was diverted to Bermuda on Sunday morning. Having explored all flying options and due to airport operating times, guests were placed in hotels in Bermuda. The flight home will now depart at 4pm today. We are very sorry for this disruption to the journey following their holiday and we worked round the clock with the airline and hotels to take care of the guests and to ensure they get home as soon as possible."