FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – An Allegiant Air flight was diverted to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Thursday afternoon because of turbulence.
Allegiant Air flight 7001 was en route from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, to Pittsburgh when it was diverted to Fort Lauderdale because of "severe turbulence and injuries to passengers," the airline said in a statement.
Broward Sheriff's Office Department of Fire Rescue spokesman Mike Jachles said four flight attendants and three passengers were injured and taken to Broward Health Medical Center.
The plane landed safely at 2:43 p.m.
There were 137 passengers and six crew members on board at the time.
Local 10 News reporter Andrew Perez spoke with some of the passengers on the flight about the ordeal.
"I thought this was the end," passenger Gisela Arrow told Local 10.
Passengers said the turbulence caught everyone on board by surprise.
"It was a real quick shake, and then it just dropped," passenger Wendy Presto said.
Amanda Kuhn said she ran to help one of the injured flight attendants.
"I saw her face smash off of the cabinets in the back of the plane," Kuhn said. "She was covered in blood and couldn't breathe, so I just ran up and got ice and paper towel."
Kuhn said there were two nurses on the flight who also helped.
"The two nurses came back and attended to the flight attendants and to my father," she said.
Allegiant Air said the flight left Fort Lauderdale at 8:33 p.m.