(Video) Eleven hospitalized following evacuation from aborted Cathay Pacific flight takeoff

Eleven people were injured on Cathay Pacific’s flight CX880 at the Hong Kong International Airport early on Saturday after the carrier aborted its take off due to a technical issue, Cathay said in a statement. 

The flight, from Hong Kong to Los Angeles, was carrying 17 crew and 293 passengers at around 1 am. It performed “an aborted take off in accordance with standard procedures after a technical issue was detected by the crew.” 

One of the plane’s tyres overheated causing it to burst, local media reported, citing police. 

After the aircraft returned to the gate a precautionary passenger evacuation was initiated by the crew and passengers exited the aircraft using five door escape slides, it said. It was understood that five men and 13 women were injured during their evacuation. Seven were treated by paramedics on the spot. 

The other 10 women and a man aged 29 to 77 were sent to North Lantau Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital. 

“We understand that 11 passengers are being treated at the hospital with injuries sustained during the evacuation process. Our priority is to look after all affected passengers and crew.” 

Nine passengers have been discharged already, while two remain in hospital as of Saturday morning. 

The airline has arranged hotel accommodation for the affected passengers and another aircraft has been deployed to operate CX880, with a flight scheduled to depart at 10 am Saturday, Cathay said. 

Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung said the Civil Aviation Department and the Air Accident Investigation Authority will follow up on the incident according to established mechanisms. 

Cathay said it will cooperate with authorities on the investigation. 

(Staff reporter and agencies)

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