Mid-air scare: Passengers hospitalised after Tiger flight’s sudden landing

Three people were hospitalised after a Tigerair flight from Adelaide to Sydney was forced to make a “priority landing” in Melbourne.

Witnesses say fumes in the cabin triggered the emergency after take-off from Adelaide last night, forcing the Sydney-bound Tigerair flight to make an unscheduled stop in Melbourne.

Upon arrival, all passengers were required to disembark the plane.

Ambulance Victoria crews treated six patients who suffered ear problems, understood to be due to the sudden nature of the descent.

Three of them — a man aged in his 60s, another in his 30s and a third in his 20s — were taken to the Northern Hospital in stable conditions.

“Tigerair flight TT644 from Adelaide to Sydney landed safely at 8.10pm last night after diverting to Melbourne as a precautionary measure due to engineering,” the airline’s spokesperson said.

“In accordance with standard operating procedures, the captain made the decision to divert after an unusual odour was detected in the cabin.

“The aircraft was met on arrival by emergency services as a precautionary measure, all passengers and crew disembarked the aircraft safely.

“All passengers were re-accommodated on another flight this morning and we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused.”