Passengers post oxygen mask selfies as plane makes emergency landing
United flight en route to L.A. diverted after 'medical issue' causes 'chain reaction'
A United Airlines flight en route to Los Angeles from Denver was forced to make an emergency landing in Grand Junction, Colo., when several passengers complained about low cabin pressure shortly after takeoff, causing the pilot to deploy oxygen masks from the plane's ceiling.
"After receiving reports of multiple ill customers, our crew deployed the oxygen masks and elected to divert to Grand Junction," Jennifer Dohm, a spokeswoman for United Airlines, told Yahoo News. "Medical personnel met the flight upon arrival, and we'll fly our passengers on a new aircraft to Los Angeles."
The Airbus A320 carrying 150 passengers and six crew members took off at approximately 8:25 a.m. from Denver International Airport, according to FlightAware.com, landing in Grand Junction just over an hour later.
The aircraft is being inspected "to determine if there were any technical issues," Dohm added.
Several passengers, including WWE wrestler Sheamus, posted photos of themselves wearing the oxygen masks to social media.
Emergency landing in Colorado on a @united flight. Not many brave lads when the masks drop from overhead. pic.twitter.com/Z4Um2uYhuD
— Sheamus (@WWESheamus) July 22, 2015
On the plus side... I now know how to use the mask really well! #oxygen #UnitedAirlines pic.twitter.com/Bfex19ZU4M
— Keele (@YupItsTripp) July 22, 2015
According to a public information officer for the Grand Junction Fire Department, a "medical event" caused a "chain reaction of passengers to feel sick and lightheaded," leading the pilot to deploy the oxygen masks.
#UA447 on the way to LA just emergency landed at Grand Junction - loss of oxygen in the cabin #Unitedairlines pic.twitter.com/uu96A0fT45
— David Schamis (@dschamis) July 22, 2015
"In the middle of the flight someone passed out," David Schamis, a passenger on board the flight, explained in an email to Mashable. "The flight attendants were looking for a doctor somewhat frantically. ... They then made an announcement that there was an oxygen problem in the cabin, although none of the pilot's indicators showed any problems. The masks dropped — initially they instructed anyone who wasn't feeling well to put on the masks, but then they quickly told everyone to put them on."
Unexpected stop in Grand Junction on my way to LAX. #thatsafirst #oxygenmask https://t.co/jYJcs7pFTh pic.twitter.com/379ubBhbLw
— Niles Emerick (@naemerick) July 22, 2015
Emergency personnel in Grand Junction boarded the plane on the tarmac "with full oxygen suits and masks on," Schamis added.
United flight DEN to LAX diverted to Grand Junction due to low cabin pressure. @KDVR @DenverChannel #oxygenmasks pic.twitter.com/ymTF4OW7yr
— Niles Emerick (@naemerick) July 22, 2015
Few people unwell, but we're down safe & sound. Held on tight to that #mitb briefcase! pic.twitter.com/BhUeecGn2U
— Sheamus (@WWESheamus) July 22, 2015
Update: successful evacuation of all passengers #Alert2 pic.twitter.com/qAVteACSQC
— GJ Fire Dept PIO (@GJFDPIO) July 22, 2015
One person was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation, the Grand Junction Fire Department said.
Update: Transporting 1 to local hospital for further eval #Alert2 @GJAirport pic.twitter.com/SwpULAHVPu
— GJ Fire Dept PIO (@GJFDPIO) July 22, 2015
Another passenger, Niles Emerick, reported he was "doing just fine. Except my only lunch option at Grand Junction airport was Subway."
@monikarun @mashable doing just fine. Except my only lunch option at Grand Junction airport was Subway.
— Niles Emerick (@naemerick) July 22, 2015
