7 Hurt in Severe Turbulence Aboard United Airlines Flight

One person was taken to a hospital Wednesday after a United Airlines flight was diverted to Memphis because of severe turbulence, officials said. The person was in non-critical condition when taken to a hospital after the flight headed from Cancun, Mexico, to Chicago landed at Memphis International Airport, United and the Memphis Fire Department said in separate statements. The turbulence happened while the airplane's seat belt sign was on, United said, per the AP. Six others on the flight were hurt but declined treatment, NBC News reports. The extent of their injuries was not known, per the Memphis Fire Department.

Chicago-based United said the 737-900ER aircraft had 172 passengers and seven crew members on board. The airplane was scheduled to resume its flight to Chicago on Wednesday afternoon. "We're grateful to our crew for their efforts to ensure the safety of our employees and customers," United said in a statement. (More United Airlines stories.)