Ryanair flight FR 9887 was due to fly from Alicante to Liverpool John Lennon Airport on Friday, July 10, but was forced to divert to Nantes in France after severe turbulence left multiple passengers injuredJamie Greer Under-35s writer and Matt Jackson Live News Network Reporter
17:51, 13 Jul 2026Updated 17:52, 13 Jul 2026
A Ryanair flight has been diverted (Image: MarioGuti via Getty Images)
Passengers aboard a Liverpool-bound flight “thought they were going to die” after travellers and cabin crew were hurled into the ceiling of the aircraft during severe mid-air turbulence. Ryanair flight FR 9887 was scheduled to depart from Alicante at 4.35pm, bound for Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) on Friday, July 10.
However, two passengers on the flight have told the ECHO how it was forced to divert to Nantes in France due to the turbulence, which left multiple people injured and was subsequently confirmed by Ryanair. One passenger, who was returning to Liverpool with a friend following a group holiday, revealed that the flight took off later than planned at 6.05pm.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, he described how the harrowing turbulence began approximately an hour into the flight, sending both passengers and cabin crew crashing into the roof. He said: “The captain said it was severe turbulence but I’ve never known anything like that.
“It happened really quick. The plane dropped really bad. Everyone was screaming and crying.
“The air hostesses went up in the air. It levelled off and calmed down for a couple of seconds. Then it went again. During the second time, it was absolutely terrifying.
“Passengers had their hands on people’s shoulders and held them down so they wouldn’t hit the roof. It was the most terrifying experience.
“Everyone was screaming, crying, we all thought we were going to die. People were shaking and screaming. If you had a drink, it was on the ceiling, two girls were covered in coffee.
“My friend got covered head to toe in coffee. The pilot said it dropped 300 feet in a couple of seconds.
“We had to land in Nantes. The paramedics came on. They put one girl in a stretcher. The poor girl hit the roof.
“One of the air hostesses was taken to hospital, she had a knee injury. I saw a man with a neck brace on. When they let us off, they asked every one of us if we needed assistance.”
The passenger revealed that he and fellow travellers waited in the departure lounge before a replacement aircraft eventually transported them to LJLA. He said: “In the lounge, everyone was covered in coffee. One guy had blood on his face.”
A Ryanair spokesperson told the ECHO: “FR9887 from Alicante to Liverpool Friday, July 10, experienced some air turbulence mid-flight.
“The aircraft diverted and landed normally at Nantes Airport, and a small group of passengers were taken for medical treatment.
“A replacement aircraft was arranged and departed for Liverpool at 12.20am local time.”
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