A Ryanair flight from Alicante to Liverpool was forced to make an emergency diversion to Nantes, France, after severe mid-air turbulence injured multiple passengers and crew members. The incident occurred on Friday, July 10, aboard flight FR 9887, which was scheduled to depart at 4:35pm but took off at 6:05pm due to a delay.
Passenger Accounts of the Ordeal
A passenger returning to Liverpool with a friend described the terrifying experience to the Liverpool Echo. He said the turbulence struck about an hour into the flight, causing the plane to drop suddenly. 'Everyone was screaming and crying. We all thought we were going to die,' he recalled. The passenger noted that the plane dropped 300 feet in a few seconds, throwing cabin crew and passengers towards the ceiling.
During the turbulence, passengers tried to hold each other down to prevent injuries. One passenger was covered in coffee, and another girl was placed on a stretcher after hitting the roof. A cabin crew member suffered a knee injury and was taken to hospital, while a man was seen with a neck brace.
Ryanair Confirms Diversion
A Ryanair spokesperson confirmed the diversion, stating: 'FR9887 from Alicante to Liverpool on July 10 experienced some air turbulence mid-flight. The aircraft diverted and landed normally at Nantes Airport, and a small group of passengers were taken for medical treatment.' The airline arranged a replacement aircraft, which departed for Liverpool at 12:20am local time.
Passengers were held in the departure lounge in Nantes, where many were covered in coffee and one had blood on his face. The flight eventually reached Liverpool John Lennon Airport after the ordeal.
