Severe Turbulence Injures Three People

PHOTO: An American Eagle jet. (photo via Flickr/Piper)

A SkyWest Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing in St. Louis Tuesday after it experienced severe turbulence.

According to KMOV.com, SkyWest Airlines Flight 3167, operating under the banner of American Eagle, was en route from Atlanta to Chicago when it encountered unexpected severe turbulence Tuesday night, leaving three people injured.

After learning of the injuries to a flight attendant and two passengers onboard the flight, the captain called for an emergency landing and brought the plane down safely at St. Louis Lambert International Airport in Missouri.

“The safety of all onboard our aircraft is our primary concern,” an official from SkyWest said in a statement. “Both American Airlines and SkyWest are taking care of our passengers and crew at this time.”

READ MORE: Russian Airliner Hits Terrifying Turbulence

Once the aircraft was safely on the tarmac in St. Louis, emergency personnel and paramedics arrived on the scene. The injured crew member and passengers were transported to a local hospital for evaluation.

Earlier this year, a China Eastern Airlines flight also experienced severe turbulence that resulted in 26 people on board being injured, including four people whose injuries were considered serious.

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