Terrified passengers on a UK-bound transatlantic flight have described how they thought they would die as it suddenly 'dropped' at 30,000ft.
The United Airlines Boeing 767-300 flying from Houston to Heathrow was diverted to Shannon Airport after 23 people were hurt by severe turbulence 300 miles south-west of Ireland.
It landed at around 6am and 12 people including three children and two crew were taken to University Hospital in Limerick. More were treated in the airport terminal.
The victims are said to have suffered lacerations, bruising and minor head injuries. . A member of the crew may have a fractured wrist.
Nottingham student Leslie Chi told friends on Facebook that she 'really thought I might die' as the plane dropped.
Some of the injured passengers may not have had their seat belts on and were tossed around as the turbulence shook the plane.
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) said it would be investigating the incident.
Nottingham student Leslie Chi told friends on Facebook that she 'really thought I might die' as the plane was rocked at 30,000ft.
Some 223 passengers and 12 crew were on board and they were met by ambulance crews and paramedics.
United Airlines said in a statement: 'United Airlines is providing care and support to customers and crew of flight UA-880 which experienced severe and unexpected turbulence during a flight from Houston to London Heathrow today.
'The aircraft diverted to Shannon Airport in Ireland where it was met by medical personnel.
'We wish these passengers and crew a quick recovery from their injuries'.
University Hospital Limerick said it was prepared for an emergency after a call from the plane.
A spokesman said: 'Staff at UHL were notified at approximately 5.30am of an incident aboard a transatlantic flight and that a medical diversion was being made to Shannon Airport with a possible 23 casualties.'
'The Clinical Decision Unit and paediatric area within the ED (Emergency Department) were cleared in anticipation of patients being brought from the airport.'
'When the aircraft landed, initial assessment was carried out by the National Ambulance Service and airport first responders. A total of 12 people were transported to hospital, nine adults and three children. Two of the 12 were crew members.'
The flight left Houston, Texas on Tuesday night and was due to land in London Heathrow shortly after 6am.
However, about 500km out from Shannon, the pilot alerted air traffic control that he was diverting to the Co Clare airport.
Three of the injured passengers included a female toddler and an older boy and girl.
A source said the majority of the injuries sustained were to passengers heads and ribs. A member of the crew may have a fractured wrist.
Most of the injured passengers are from the UK and had been traveling home from holidays.
There are unconfirmed reports that some of the injured passengers may not have had their seat belts fastened at the time of the incident.
'They reckon they didn't have their seat belts on at the time and they hit an air pocket and (the plane) just dropped,' said a source.
'It was very frightening for them. They were shocked,' the source added.
It's unclear if the injured passengers were thrown from their seats or if they were struck by debris during the severe turbulence.
United Airlines has been asked for further comment.
Turbulence is caused when moving air masses or pockets come together traveling at different speeds.
'Turbulence cannot be detected by pilots on passenger planes. The pilots are depending on other flights to alert air traffic control of any reports of turbulence so they can try and prepare for it,' said another source.
'You can't see turbulence nor can you predict where it's going to hit. That's why there is a gap between planes taking off and landing at airports, so they don't get caught in each other's (turbulence),' they added.
- Houston to Heathrow flight was forced to land at Shannon Airport
- 12 people including three children and two crew taken to Limerick hospital
- Victims on board suffered lacerations, bruising and minor head injuries
- Passenger Leslie Chi told friends on Facebook: 'I really thought I might die'
'I really felt I might die': Passenger's horror as United Airlines plane from Houston to Heathrow 'just drops' in mid-air as it hits turbulence and is forced into emergency landing in Ireland with 23 injured