2 passengers, 4 crew hurt as PAL plane encounters turbulence

Six persons, including two passengers and four cabin crew members, were hurt on Tuesday when a Manila-bound aircraft encountered turbulence just as it was landing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Among those slightly injured was American singer Anika Ellis-Mungin, a member of the KC and the Sunshine Band who is in the country for a concert on Wednesday.

According to Philippine Airlines (PAL) spokesperson Cielo Villaluna PAL flight PR 1103 from Los Angeles, which had 248 passengers on board, experienced clear air turbulence at 6:21 a.m., Tuesday, as it was approaching the NAIA for landing.

READ: At least 6 PAL passengers, crew injured due to turbulence

Villaluna said that this caused injuries to two passengers and four crew members who were given first aid treatment in the aircraft and further medical assistance after it landed around 6:40 a.m. at the NAIA terminal 1.

A report from the NAIA terminal 1 medical officer-on-duty Dr. Lotis Venus Love Casiple said that two of the cabin crew members, a 29-year-old female and a 34-year-old male, hit their head hard in the ceiling and were advised to seek further hospital tests, particularly  a CT scan, after they complained of neck and back pain. Two other stewardesses hurt their arm which they used as support from being thrown off their seats.

Ellis-Mungin complained of a headache and had a slight contusion. Cold compress was applied on the swollen portion of her head and she was advised to see a doctor should her headache persist. The other passenger, a 43-year-old man, sustained an abrasion on his left leg which was treated and dressed.

The members of the PAL cabin crew, particularly those who complained of neck and back pain, were brought to the Cardinal Santos Medical Center for further medical examination. RAM/rga