Turbulence forces United Airlines flight back to airport

NEWARK, N.J., Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Severe turbulence near the Newark, N.J., airport forced a United Airlines flight to Beijing to return just 45 minutes after takeoff, officials said.

Five flight attendants were injured in the turbulence, officials said. After landing, they were treated for minor injuries. None of the 189 passengers were injured.

United Airlines Flight 89 took off and then returned to the Newark airport Thursday when the Boeing 777-200 experienced severe turbulence, WNBC, New York, reported.

"It was really fast, sudden," said passenger Bryan Munoz. "We lost a little bit of altitude and the plane went side to side. It was a bit nerve-wracking."

All passengers were rebooked on a flight out Friday morning.