Dozens injured after Caribbean Airlines plane crashes during bad weather at Guyana airport

2011-07-31 10:20:40 GMT+7 (ICT)

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA (BNO NEWS) -- More than 40 people were injured on early Saturday morning when a Caribbean Airlines passenger plane crashed during bad weather at Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Guyana, officials said.

The accident involving flight BW523 happened at around 1.32 a.m. local time when the Boeing 737-800 was attempting to land at the airport. It was flying from New York's John F. Kennedy Airport with a stop in the Port of Spain in Trinidad.

Airline officials said a total of 157 passengers and six crew members were on board the aircraft, which broke up in two during the crash. "Caribbean Airlines immediately activated its emergency response programme and is in direct contact with the relevant authorities," the airline said in a statement.

Although the airline refused to provide information about the number of injured, the Guyana government said 41 people had sustained injuries. The Diamond Diagnostic Center treated 17 patients, of which 11 were referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and 6 were sent home. The GPHC treated a total of 35 patients, three of whom were admitted, one with a broken leg and two women for further observation.

As a result of the accident, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority decided to close the airport until 10 a.m. local time on Saturday while an investigation was conducted. "[The] perimeter around [the] aircraft has been secured by the Guyana Defence Force and police officials," the airline said.

It was not immediately clear what had caused the accident, but local media reports said there was heavy rainfall and misty conditions in the area of the airport when the crash happened. The cause is being investigated by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as well as the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority (TTCAA) are expected to assist.

Saturday's aviation accident was the worst accident in Guyana's history. It was also the first crash of a plane flying for Caribbean Airlines.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-07-31

The Telegraph UK quotes one passenger as stating;

"I am upset that no one came to rescue us in the dark, but a taxi driver appeared from nowhere and charged me $20 to take me to the terminal. I had to pay, but in times of emergencies, you don't charge people for a ride," she said.

Gee, that sounds like another country I know.

Broke in two on landing and no deaths reported.

A miracle indeed,good to see that in some country's you can get a taxi in times of need! Visions of a taxi rank being set up at the crash site

Guyana Amazing.

Plane from New York crashes at Guyana airport

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Zulficar Mohamed of Guyana's Civil Aviation Authority describes the accident

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A plane has crashed and broken in two on landing at Guyana's main airport in the capital, Georgetown, causing injuries but no deaths.

The Caribbean Airlines Boeing 737-800 flight BW-523 from New York had 163 people aboard.

The plane apparently overshot the runway at Cheddi Jagan International Airport during wet weather.

"It's an absolute miracle that took place today," said Caribbean Airlines chairman George Nicholas.

Edited July 31, 201114 yr by Scott
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