Saturday afternoon a Delta Airlines commercial flight from Atlanta to Denver was diverted to Tulsa after numerous passengers reported got sick on board.
Tulsa International Airport officials confirmed the unscheduled landing of Delta Airlines Flight 1817 from Atlanta to Denver Saturday afternoon at 3:10 p.m. Multiple passengers reported feeling sick on board at the same time. The plane’s crew decided to divert the flight to Tulsa, Oklahoma, keeping in mind passengers’ safety.
A Tulsa Police dispatcher said that Tulsa International Airport authorities received a call about three p.m. indicating the passengers had all become sick at the same time and that the aircraft needed to perform an emergency landing for a medical issue.
Delta Airlines released a statement Saturday afternoon where it explains that the unscheduled landing was made due to passengers’ safety and security:
“The flight crew of Delta flight 1817 from Atlanta to Denver elected to divert to Tulsa when a few customers reported feeling ill. The safety and security of our customers is our top priority,” wrote Delta Airlines.
Delta Airlines spokesperson confirmed that 152 passengers were on board, of which 10-15 people got sick at the same time. Authorities have not clarified yet what symptoms the passengers experienced or what might have caused the situation.
Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA), HAZMAT and fire crews were sent to the airport to handle the situation. All emergency units are treating the situation as a medical issue at this time. In particular, EMSA medical services set 2 units on scene to take care of affected passengers.
After reports of sickness had been received among some passengers, the rest of people on board were assessed to verify their health status. The 10-15 sick passengers showed symptoms of general illness and nausea. They were immediately sent to health services set at the Tulsa International Airport.
However, according to a Delta supervisor, one of the affected passengers from the flight was hospitalized. It seems like the individual presented an unrelated medical emergency even though he was transported to a nearby health institution.
The plane was en route to Denver from Atlanta when the situation was reported. Delta Flight 1817, an MD-90 aircraft, left Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta bound for Denver on Saturday afternoon.
Authorities are determining if all the affected passengers began their travels in Atlanta or elsewhere.
A replacement plane will transport passengers to Denver
Delta Airlines officials have stated that there will be a replacement aircraft to carry the passengers to Denver. Delta flight 9961, which is also an MD-90 aircraft, will arrive in Tulsa International Airport at about 7:15 p.m. Saturday evening. The flight 9961 will come from Minneapolis, Minnesota to get the flight 1817’s passengers to their final destination. The replacement plane is scheduled to land in Denver at 10:44 p.m. local time.
Some passengers have posted on social media about the situation and have reported the group has received pizza at the airport while they wait for the replacement plane. Other passengers have published claims about the flight’s delay has lengthened, nearly seven and a half hours after its scheduled arrival.
Source: Tulsa World