Breaking: Continental 737 Off Runway In Aborted Takeoff At Denver International; Fire Extinquished
Saturday, December 20th, 2008
The Really: Let’s hope everyone is okay.
UPDATE: 6:43 PST
9NEWS.com: According to Julie King, a spokeswoman with Continental Airlines, flight 1404 from Denver to Houston was trying to take off but instead it “exited the runway.” Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Laura Brown says the aircraft went off the end of the runway as it was taking off Saturday night. She had no other details.
The aircraft was a 737 with 107 passengers and 5 crew members aboard.
King says there were no serious injuries.
Numerous emergency vehicles were dispatched to the airport. Officials at DIA say the crash occurred on runway 34 Right. Crew members on the plane had to activate the evacuation chutes, according to DIA officials.
Officials at DIA say the plane did catch fire, but emergency crews were able to extinguish the blaze.
No other information was immediately released.
The plane was evacuated and a triage center was set up to assess passengers and crew injuries.
26 people were transported to area hospitals to be treated for their non-life-threatening injuries. –myfoxcolorado.com
Update: 12-21-08 Los Angeles Times is reporting passengers said:
The Boeing 737 was heading to Houston at 6:18 p.m. when some passengers reported that the plane nosed up into the air, then dropped down with a jolt. It landed in a ravine, where passengers evacuated.
Update: 12-21-08 Denverpost.com is reporting:
Plane injuries rise to 58, 2 in critical condition.
Relatives and friends of passengers seeking information can call Continental at (800) 621-3263.
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