A Parent’s Nightmare for sure.
Dr. Cecilia Laguzzi, a surgeon from Uruguay, encountered a harrowing experience on her return flight from Madrid to Montevideo. During an overnight journey, the plane was caught in intense turbulence, causing chaos in the cabin and resulting in several passengers, including Laguzzi’s two-year-old son, being propelled towards the cabin ceiling.
WATCH: Dozens of passengers were hurt on Monday (July 1) when an Air Europa flight from Madrid to Montevideo, Uruguay, hit strong turbulence, prompting an emergency landing in Brazil. A passenger said the plane went into a dive and those who weren’t belted hit the ceiling. pic.twitter.com/bMxo9iAQMp
— TODAY (@TODAYonline) July 3, 2024
Laguzzi, who had been asleep, was awakened abruptly as items began striking her, leading to a disorienting sensation of the plane dropping. The turbulence, described as “heavy,” prompted an emergency diversion of the Air Europa aircraft to Brazil for safety reasons. Upon safely landing at Natal International Airport, numerous passengers required medical attention for significant injuries.
Amidst the confusion, Laguzzi faced a mother’s worst nightmare when she couldn’t immediately locate her son. The dimly lit and chaotic cabin compounded her distress until another passenger pointed out that her son was above the luggage compartment, trapped where a plastic panel had broken off. Her husband managed to retrieve their visibly distressed son, who fortunately appeared unharmed after a thorough check by Laguzzi.
A Boeing 787 passenger was launched into the overhead cabin during severe turbulence. About 40 people were also injured and some covered in blood.
The Air Europa flight was en route from Madrid to Montevideo. pic.twitter.com/nIp32y5dxo
— 6ixBuzzTV (@6ixbuzztv) July 2, 2024
The ordeal did not end with securing her son’s safety. As a medical professional, Laguzzi assisted other passengers, many of whom suffered from severe back pain and fractures caused by the forceful jolts and falling debris within the aircraft. Recognizing the severity of the injuries, she advised the crew to make an emergency landing rather than continuing the four-hour journey to Uruguay.
The emergency protocol involved triaging injured passengers on the ground in Brazil before they were transported by bus to Recife, from where they resumed their flight to Montevideo. Although the family eventually reached home safely, the incident left a lasting impact on Laguzzi, who expressed a reluctance to fly again in the near future.
🇧🇷🇺🇸 An Air Europa Boeing 787-9 makes an emergency landing in Brazil
Flight UX45 from Madrid to Montevideo, Uruguay, encountered severe turbulence while flying at 36,000 feet.
As a result, at least 30 people were injured and the interior of the plane was damaged. pic.twitter.com/f923EcvbVS
— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) July 1, 2024
This terrifying incident underscores the unpredictable nature of air travel through meteorologically volatile regions, such as the Intertropical Convergence Zone, known for its dense thunderstorms. The episode also highlights the importance of safety measures, such as wearing seatbelts during flights, which can mitigate injuries during sudden turbulence.
The investigation into the specific causes and handling of the incident is ongoing, with Air Europa focusing on the well-being of the affected passengers and reviewing safety protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Major Points
- Dr. Cecilia Laguzzi and her family experienced severe turbulence on an Air Europa flight from Madrid to Montevideo, causing passengers, including her two-year-old son, to be hurled towards the cabin ceiling.
- The incident occurred during an overnight flight, abruptly waking Laguzzi as objects hit her, and the plane briefly felt like it was free falling.
- The turbulence forced the plane to divert to Natal International Airport in Brazil, where several passengers received medical treatment for serious injuries.
- Laguzzi, a surgeon, helped tend to injured passengers, dealing with severe back pain and fractures before advising the crew to make an emergency landing for safety.
- The family eventually continued their journey by bus to Recife and then resumed their flight to Montevideo, with Laguzzi expressing reluctance to fly again soon due to the traumatic experience.
Lap Fu Ip – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
