Nearly a dozen cruisers travelling home from a Caribbean cruise holiday were taken to hospital after their flight home was hit by severe turbulence.
A chartered flight was carrying 225 British passengers home from a P&O Cruises’ Caribbean fly-cruise holiday.
The flight departed Barbados en route to Manchester and had to be diverted to Bermuda after encountering ‘freak’ clear air turbulence.
It landed 11 people in hospital and delayed the return home for the rest.
P&O Cruises said all were later discharged from hospital the same day.
“The flight to Manchester was diverted to Bermuda following freak turbulence,” a P&O Cruises spokesperson said.
“Having explored all flying options and due to airport operating times, guests were placed in hotels in Bermuda.”
A Bermuda government spokesperson confirmed all injuries were ‘minor.’
All the cruisers spent Christmas Day in Bermuda before departing for the UK on December 26, three days later than scheduled.
The Airbus 300-200 jet was on charter from Maleth Aero and has undergone rigorous safety checks.
The P&O Cruises Caribbean itinerary included port calls in Antigua, St. Lucia and the Dominican Republic.
