American Airlines passengers hospitalized as turbulence diverts jet

Seven people were taken to the hospital after an American Airlines flight was diverted due to extreme turbulence over Florida.

The Nashville-bound airplane was diverted to Alabama on Wednesday afternoon after experiencing severe turbulence over Pensacola.

Fire/rescue officials in Birmingham say that 10 of the 56 people on board had minor injuries, and seven were transferred to a nearby hospital.

Eight people were taken to the hospital to be checked out. Two of them were flight attendants.

According to a statement released by American Airlines, Flight 3609 was forced to make an emergency landing at Birmingham Shuttlesworth Airport as a result of encountering strong turbulence over the Pensacola region.

According to the announcement, the Embraer E175 landed without any problems at 3:17 pm Central Time and securely taxied to the gate after landing.