12 people injured on flight en route to Hong Kong

HONG KONG, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- At least 12 people were injured on a Cathay Pacific flight en route from San Francisco to Hong Kong after the plane hit strong turbulence, passengers said.

Two crew members and six passengers were transported to Princess Margaret Hospital in Kwai Chung and North Lantau Hospital in Tung Chung when Flight CX879 landed Tuesday at Chek Lap Kok airport, the South China Morning Post reported.

Of those hospitalized, a crew member was in serious condition and was seen with a neck brace and an oxygen mask as she was taken to the hospital. The seven others were treated and released. Four passengers had minor injuries that didn't require hospitalization.

"It was even more intense than sitting on a roller coaster," one passenger said. "[The plane] was jolted for at least two minutes. I was thrown up very high."

The passenger said there was no warning the turbulence was coming and passengers weren't told to secure their seat belts.

The Boeing 747 jumbo jet had 321 passengers and 21 crew members on board, the airline said.

The Civil Aviation Department said it would launch an investigation into the incident.