11 hospitalised as Cathay Pacific flight aborts take-off at Hong Kong Int’l Airport
Hong Kong Free Press
11 passengers were hospitalised after a Cathay Pacific flight to Los Angeles carrying 283 passengers aborted its take-off at Hong Kong’s international airport on Saturday.
Flight CX880, which was also carrying 17 crew members, experienced a “technical issue,” according to the airline. Citing police, RTHK reported that one of the plane’s tyres overheated and burst.
“After the aircraft returned to the gate a precautionary passenger evacuation was initiated by the crew, and passengers exited the aircraft using five door escape slides,” a Cathay Pacific statement read. “We understand that 11 passengers are being treated at the hospital with injuries sustained during the evacuation process. Our priority is to look after all affected passengers and crew.”
It later confirmed that nine of the 11 hospitalised passengers had been discharged: “Our colleagues will continue to provide support to the two hospitalised passengers and their families… We sincerely apologise for the disruption to our customers’ journeys.”
Among the evacuated passengers was Canadian-Hong Kong actress Selena Lee.
“First time being evacuated from an airplane, but extremely grateful that no one was seriously hurt. Thank you to everyone who worked hard in keeping us passengers safe,” she wrote. “Safe and sound. The Airline has done their very best to make sure we are safe.”
Another aircraft was deployed at 10 a.m. on Saturday to complete the route, whilst affected passengers were offered overnight hotel accommodation, Cathay Pacific said.
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