An Air Canada flight travelling from Vancouver to Sydney has been forced to divert to Honolulu after hitting a big bout of turbulence, leaving dozens injured.
Flight AC33 departed Vancouver on 11 July carrying 269 passengers and 15 crew before encountering “un-forecasted and sudden turbulence” approximately two hours past Hawaii, according to a statement by Air Canada.
The Boeing 777-200 aircraft subsequently diverted to Honolulu, where it landed normally at 12:45 pm EDT.
“Current information indicates there were 37 people who appear to have sustained minor injuries,” the statement read, with multiple media outlets reporting that a number of passengers hit their heads on the roof of the plane.
“Our first priority is always the safety of our flights, passengers and crew, and as a precaution, medical personnel were on standby to assist passengers in Honolulu. All people have since been assessed, treated and released by local hospitals.
“We have made arrangements including hotel accommodations and meals for passengers in Honolulu.”
