A holidaymaker flying home from a cruise ship holiday from Barbados to Manchester suffered injuries that required hospital treatment when the plane was hit by “terrifying” turbulence.
The businessman from Hull suffered injuries to his knee and neck on the Maleth-Aero flight 1975 when it was suddenly struck by a tropical storm throwing passengers forward and causing luggage to be hurtled around the aircraft.
The plane subsequently had to make an emergency landing, two hours after taking off leaving passengers unable to return home for Christmas.
“It was a terrifying experience,” our client recalled:
I was sat with my wife and the flight crew were preparing food and refreshments. Suddenly there was an instantaneous burst of turbulence which struck the aircraft.
It dropped 200 feet in a matter of seconds, with no advance warning.
It was like nothing I had ever experienced before. The gentleman in front of me was lifted from his seat and struck the ceiling of the overhead locker.”
“Sheer panic broke out in parts of the aircraft,” he said with oxygen masks deployed causing further distress.
The holidaymaker, who does not wish to be named, was himself struck by an item of luggage and was treated in hospital along with many other passengers, some of whom did not have their seatbelts fastened as there was no warning given.
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‘The cabin crew were exceptional’
The plane diverted to Bermuda Airport and a replacement flight to the UK took off the next day.
“Our plans for Christmas Day were totally ruined as we were unable to see our grandkids or sons,” said our client, “but, the cabin crew were exceptional given the pandemonium and the severity of the turbulence. They acted quickly and decisively and helped passengers as best they could, hats off to them.”
The Maleth-Aero flight had been charted by P&O Cruises to return its travellers from Barbados back to the UK.
A number of the plane’s passengers have since contacted Hudgell Solicitors’ travel accident experts for legal advice.
John Moody, a litigation executive specialising in injuries abroad, says travellers injured as a result plane accidents are often covered by the Montreal Convention.
We have advised clients they could bring a holiday injury claim under the Montreal Convention which governs international aviation.
The Montreal Convention imposes a strict liability on airlines for personal injury which occurs during a flight.
In order for the passenger to make a compensation claim, the accident must be an unexpected or unusual event or happening that is external to the passenger.
A severe case of turbulence without warning would satisfy this definition of an accident as it was unexpected and an unusual event which passengers had no control over.”
If you’ve been injured while a passenger on a plane that wasn’t your fault contact our team of experts today.
Experts in travel accidents
Hudgell Solicitors has successfully sought compensation for many other clients under the Montreal Convention, including a woman who received £143,000 after sustaining serious long-term injuries when luggage fell onto her head from an overhead locker, adults and children scalded by hot drink spillages and a traveller whose knee was injured when it was hit by a trolley.
Mr Moody said, “Anyone who was on that flight from Barbados to Manchester and was injured should consider taking legal advice.
Our travel litigation specialists can advise on the appropriate course of action and if necessary, we can commission independent medical evidence to support a holiday accident claim for injuries.
The majority of accidents on planes cases we deal with settle out of court and you only have two years to bring a claim. We’d always advise clients to get in touch at the earliest opportunity as this can help strengthen the evidence of your case.
Hudgell Solicitors are experts in securing maximum compensation for accidents onboard airplanes and helicopters, so you can count on them for professional legal advice and support.
