5 Delta passengers injured in severe turbulence, flight made emergency landing in Reno
Sam GrossThis is a developing story and is being updated.
A Delta Air Lines flight en route from California to Washington State was forced to make an emergency landing in Reno on Wednesday after five passengers were injured due to severe turbulence.
The flight touched down in Reno about an hour and a half ago, according to Reno-Tahoe International Airport spokesperson Brian Kulpin.
Kulpin said three of the injured passengers were transported to a local hospital by REMSA.
A twitter post from a passenger said the flight encountered "crazy turbulence and injuries."
A strong winter storm is impacting the region and the National Weather Service in Reno has warned aviators that periods of "downright dangerous flying conditions with extreme turbulence" could exist.
The storm is expected to last through the end of the week and has triggered a multitude of travel and storm warnings.
"This is a particularly dangerous situation for aviation in the lee of the Sierra over the next few days," the weather service's forecast continued on.
The regional flight, which is operated by Compass Airlines, was in flight between Santa Ana, California and Seattle, Washington when it was forced to divert to Reno.
The flight, number 5763, had 59 passengers and 4 crew on board and landed safely, according to a statement from Compass Airlines.
"We apologize for this experience as we get customers to Seattle," the statement said.
The remaining passengers have been given food and a comfortable place to wait before being transferred to other flights, according to Kulpin.
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