Update:
11.15am – Replacement aircraft sent from London
11.40am – Incident aircraft moved to maintenance hangar where engineers will check it for damage
11.45am – UL Hospital’s Group confirms that a total of 12 people were hospitalised 11 of whom were later discharged.
12.50pm – Replacement aircraft – UA-2088 – left Shannon at 12.45pm
2.30pm – Air Accident Investigation Unit gathering information before deciding whether an investigation is warranted.
A total of 12 people have been taken to hospital after a transatlantic jet encountered turbulence over the Atlantic early this morning.
United Airlines flight UA-880 made an emergency landing at Shannon where it touched down shortly before 6.00am.
The Boeing 767-300 jet, with over 200 passengers and crew on board, was about 500 kilometres south west of Ireland at the time and was travelling from Houston in the US to London.
The crew told controllers they wished to divert to Shannon and requested emergency medical services to be on standby.
The jet landed safely and was met at the terminal by ambulance paramedics.
A spokesman confirmed that the aircraft “experienced severe and unexpected turbulence.”
The airline had said that “14 customers and two flight attendants have been taken to a local hospital.”
UL Hospital’s Group has since confirmed that 12 people were admitted and that all but one had been discharged by 10.30am.
We wish these passengers and crew a quick recovery from their injuries,” the spokesman added.