Jet experiences extreme turbulence; passengers injured

ST. LOUIS -- An American Trans Air flight from Guadalajara, Mexico, bound for Chicago was diverted to Lambert Airport in St. Louis on Thursday after hitting severe turbulence, an airline spokeswoman said.

ATA Flight 208 landed at Lambert at around 5:15 p.m. and several passengers were taken by ambulance to area hospitals, said Angela Thomas, spokeswoman for the Indianapolis-based carrier.

Neither Thomas nor airport officials had any immediate information on the nature, number or severity of the injuries, although Thomas said she assumed none were life threatening.

Thomas said the pilot reported hitting severe turbulence around a thunderstorm and requested the diversion to St. Louis because of the injuries aboard.

Flight 208 was scheduled to land at 5:25 p.m. at Midway Airport in Chicago.