One person was taken to a hospital Wednesday after a United Airlines flight was diverted to Memphis, Tennessee, because of severe turbulence, officials said.
The person was in non-critical condition when taken to a hospital after the flight headed from Cancun, Mexico, to Chicago landed at Memphis International Airport, United and the Memphis Fire Department said in separate statements.
The turbulence happened while the airplane's seat belt sign was on, United said.
"I travel a lot, but I've never had a flight like this," passenger Gustavo Nouel told NBC Chicago.
The Memphis Fire Department said six other people declined treatment and transport to the hospital, but the extent of their injuries was not known.
One passenger told NBC Chicago that a flight attendant nearly hit the ceiling during the turbulence.
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"People were really hurt. We have stains all over our clothes because of food going everywhere," passenger Patrick Froh said. "It was one of the most traumatic things."
U.S. & World
Chicago-based United said the 737-900ER aircraft had 172 passengers and seven crew members on board. The airplane was scheduled to resume its flight to Chicago on Wednesday afternoon.
