A PLANE has veered off the runway at Leeds Bradford Airport while trying to land as Storm Babet batters the country.
The TUI flight from Corfu came to a standstill on boggy grassland leaving more than a hundred passengers stranded.
TwitterA frightened passenger snapped a pic of a damaged plane wing[/caption]
A TUI flight veered off the runway while landing at Leeds Bradford Airport
TwitterSocial media users showed the scene at the airport[/caption]
@cat_cutmoreThe plane wing did not look in great condition following the crash[/caption]
All flights in and out of the airport were temporarily halted with some arrivals diverted to other airports including Manchester.
Emergency services, including three ambulances, raced out to the Boeing 737-800 which landed in strong winds caused by Storm Babet at 1.53pm.
TUI confirmed that there are no reported injuries.
A large emergency response is currently in attendance including multiple ambulances and specialist resources from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and Yorkshire Ambulance Services’ Hazardous Area Response Team.
A spokesperson for Leeds Bradford Airport, said: “We can confirm TUI flight TOM3551 arriving from Corfu at LBA this afternoon has moved off the runway whilst landing.
“We are working with the airline, relevant operations teams and emergency authorities to address this situation and remove passengers from the aircraft safely.”
Malcolm Fell wrote on Facebook posted pictures from his window on Facebook, captioned: “Oops overshot runway at Leeds Bradford airport, bogged down on the grass – interesting landing greeted by fire engines and airport authorities.
“Going to be here a while”.
A relative of someone on the flight posted on X, formerly Twitter, : “Omgggg my dad’s plane overran the runway at Leeds Bradford airport and they’ve been stuck on the grass for an hour…. what in the air crash investigation is going on???
Another passenger asked if their dad was ok, to which the original poster replied: “Absolutely no one hurt and everyone is fine as far as he can tell!”
Have you been affected by the plane incident?Email [email protected] or call 020 7782 4100
And another said: “Mum just casually dropping into the group chat that their plane just went off the runway at Leeds Bradford Airport…thankfully all okay!”
The 737-800 aircraft has a total capacity of 189 passengers and is typically used by TUI for short and mid haul flights.
Fiona Marr, who witnessed it, told ITV: “I took my son who’s off school poorly to watch the planes for a little bit, saw it land and skid and then a really loud alarm from the airport, which I’ve never heard before.
“Then the two fire engines went straight to it and about 20 mins later some ambulances came but it was hard to see if anyone was on the ground.”
A TUI spokesman said: “We are aware of an incident at Leeds Bradford Airport this afternoon, in which upon landing flight TOM3551 slightly veered off while turning into the taxiway.
“There are no reported injuries, and our ground team are on hand to support passengers as they disembark.”
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service said in a statement: “We are in attendance at an incident at Aircraft Ground Incident at Leeds Bradford Airport, in conjunction with other emergency services.
“At this time, there are no reported injuries or fires. West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service command unit has now been stood down.
“Remaining crews are now assisting in evacuating all persons from the aircraft to the terminal.”
Storm Babet claimed its second victim earlier today after a motorist in a van was hit by a falling tree.
The killer storm continues to wreak havoc across the nation with commuters battling against flooded roads and even sea foam.
Extensive flooding, loss of power and collapsing buildings should all be expected by communities in the area, warns the Met Office.
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