30 Injured in Heavy turbulence on Board United Airlines Flight over Kansas

A United Airlines jetliner was diverted to Denver on Tuesday after 30 people onboard were injured, one critically, when the plane hit severe turbulence while flying over Kansas, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

Photo: 30 Injured in Heavy turbulence on Board United Airlines Flight over Kansas

30 Injured in Heavy turbulence on Board United Airlines Flight over Kansas

The flight originated at Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C., and was headed to Los Angeles. It landed safely at Denver International Airport around 7:45 p.m. and was met by medical crews, Denver Fire Department spokesman Eric Tade said.

FAA spokesman Ian Gregor in Los Angeles said 26 passengers and four crew members were injured. He said one person was critically hurt, but he released no further details, according to The Associated Press.

United spokeswoman Jean Medina said 255 passengers and 10 crew members were aboard the Boeing 777.

Medina said she knew of 25 people who were hospitalized but did not know the nature and extent of their injuries. "There were storms in the area," she said, The Los Angeles Times reports.