Seven people were injured, but no one was seriously hurt, after a United Airlines jet bound for an airport near New York City was hit by strong winds and turbulence, authorities said.
United Airlines Flight 85 from Tel Aviv instead landed at New York Stewart International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, at 6:45 p.m., according to Port Authority of New York and New Jersey officials.
Seven people were taken to local hospitals, New Windsor EMS Director of Operations Michael Bigg said. No one was seriously injured, but people wanted to be tested.
Bigg said complaints included nausea from turbulence, motion sickness and chest pain. There were 319 people on board the Boeing 787.
“We want to thank the first responders for their quick, efficient and professional actions,” Orange County, New York Executive Stephen M. Neuhaus said in a statement. “Their collaborative efforts this Good Friday night helped alleviate the stress and hardship of a difficult situation.”
The plane refueled and continued flying. United Airlines said its original destination was Newark Liberty International Airport.
New York Stewart International Airport is located in New Windsor, approximately 90 miles north of Newark Airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration announced it would investigate the incident.
