At least eight people were hospitalised after severe turbulence injured passengers aboard an Avianca flight travelling from Colombia to New York, forcing the aircraft to divert to Miami early Friday.
The Airbus A320 departed Medellín, Colombia, at 10:40 p.m. local time on Thursday for John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York but landed at Miami International Airport at about 3:30 a.m. after the turbulence.
Data from flight-tracking service FlightRadar24 showed that the aircraft, which had been cruising at approximately 35,000 feet, descended about 25,000 feet within minutes while flying over the Caribbean.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials confirmed that several people were injured, although the severity of most injuries was not immediately disclosed. WSVN reported that one passenger was taken to Ryder Trauma Center for treatment.
Passenger Maria Paula Jimenez told CBS Miami that several ambulances were waiting near the aircraft when it arrived. Separately, NBC6 footage appeared to show passengers with ice packs on their heads as they were instructed to remain seated.
The total number of passengers and crew aboard the flight was not immediately known. The New York Post reported that an Avianca flight from Miami to New York was scheduled to depart at 8:25 a.m. Friday.
