A technical problem that caused a strong movement on an international flight to Auckland Airport this afternoon has injured 50 passengers - with several transported to hospital after landing.
Fourteen Hato Hone St John units rushed to the airport after they were notified at 3.58pm of an incident on Chilean airline Latam. St John crews treated about 50 patients, with one patient in a serious condition and the remainder in a moderate to minor condition.
Ten patients were taken to Middlemore Hospital, one to Auckland City Hospital and another to Starship children’s hospital.
The aircraft in question was Latam Airlines flight LA800 from Sydney to Auckland, which encountered a “technical problem” that caused strong movement.
Airline stance
“The plane landed at Auckland Airport as scheduled. As a result of the incident, some passengers and cabin crew were affected. They received immediate assistance and were evaluated or treated by medical staff at the airport as needed,” an airline spokesperson told the Herald.
“Latam regrets the inconvenience and injury this situation may have caused its passengers, and reiterates its commitment to safety as a priority within the framework of its operational standards.”
St John sent seven ambulances, two operations managers, two major incident support team vehicles, one command unit and two rapid response vehicles to the scene.
One woman on the flight said she experienced a “quick little drop” during the flight.
“I used to be a flight attendant and this is the first time I’ve ever . . . the whole plane just froze,” she said.
As per international media, the passenger said she saw “at least” five people being taken away by waiting paramedics after landing and was pleased to have made it safely to New Zealand. She said she was unaware of how serious the incident was for other passengers.
Auckland Airport spokesperson stance
An Auckland Airport spokesperson said its emergency service team was assisting St John after a request for medical support from a Latam Airlines flight from Sydney.
Additional ambulances were also responding to the incident. Police said they were aware of the incident and referred all other inquiries to St John. As of 6pm tonight, ambulances were still exiting Auckland Airport.
