At least 29 passengers and crew members were treated for injuries after severe turbulence affected a flight from Guadalajara to Tijuana this week.
Discount airline Volaris flight 423 was cruising at an altitude of 34,000 feet and around 60 miles from the city of Los Mochis when it encountered the unstable pocket of air. Video taken by a passenger showed several people lying in the aisle of the plane, and a man with bloodied hands.
According to Baja California police, 179 people, including crew, were on board the flight. The Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) said 29 were treated by Red Cross medics after landing in Tijuana and 12 (eight passengers and four crew members) were admitted to hospital. Other news sources reported the number of injuries as high as 45, while the airline failed to provide a figure.
Volaris did give 17 passengers the names of hospitals where they could be attended free of charge should they encounter any further ill-effects from their experience, the DGAC said.
While air turbulence frightens many air travelers, it is perfectly normal and almost never puts the aircraft in jeopardy. However, turbulence can cause injury or even death when passengers aren’t buckled in their seats. Crew members, because of the nature of their responsibilities, are far more likely to be hurt during turbulence than passengers.