Turbulens så det holder

Cabin crew 'flung to ceiling' as easyJet aircraft hits turbulence

Cabin crew were flung to the ceiling during "terrifying" turbulence on an easyJet flight from Gatwick, according to eyewitnesses.

Lucy and David Westbrooke were flying to their honeymoon location near Naples when their flight hit a thunderstorm.

The couple, who married on Saturday, said at one point the aircraft hit an air pocket and plummeted.

Three cabin crew hit the ceiling, with one suffering a broken hip, the London Evening Standard reported.

Several others people were thought to be injured in the plunge.

The bad weather experienced on the aircraft - an Airbus with 154 passengers on board - prompted the pilot to make the decision to land in Rome.

Mrs Westbrooke, 30, said: "It was terrifying - what a start to married life. One stewardess said this was by far the worst she had experienced."

Mr Westbrooke, 32, added: "We nose-dived. All three cabin crew hit the ceiling."

In a statement easyJet said: "EasyJet can confirm that flight EZY8529 from London Gatwick to Naples on 1 September diverted to Rome Fiumicino due to thunderstorms over Naples.

"The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew is easyJet's highest priority and our pilots are highly trained to manage turbulence. Unfortunately due to the turbulence one of our crew sustained an injury, and as such were met by paramedics upon arrival at Rome Fiumicino airport in line with our procedures.

"The aircraft landed safely and routinely and all passengers disembarked normally and were transported to Naples by coach. EasyJet would like to apologise to passengers for any inconvenience caused. The aircraft was carrying 154 passengers and six crew."