Ambulances Greet Houston Flight on the Tarmac After Severe Turbulence Injures 7

Five passengers and two flight attendants were injured Wednesday when a Houston-bound flight hit turbulance over Louisiana. (Image source: KTRK-TV)

Five passengers and two flight attendants were hurt Wednesday when a flight from Tampa, Fla. to Houston hit severe turbulence over Louisiana.

A Houston airport spokeswoman told the Associated Press at least three people were taken to the hospital after the United Airlines flight landed safely at Bush Intercontinental Airport just after 7 a.m.

All injuries were said to be minor, Houston ABC affiliate KTRK-TV reported, with firefighters treating the injured people at the scene.

Media reports have varied about the exact number of injured during the flight, with some reports saying there were up to a dozen and that as many as eight people were taken to the hospital.

A United Airlines spokesman told the AP the plane hit turbulence over Lake Charles, La. It was unclear whether the turbulence was caused by the same storm system that caused tornadoes near Dallas on Tuesday.

The pilots declared an emergency so they could be given priority to land in Houston.

Officials said 152 people were on board the Boeing 737, 146 passengers and six crew members.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.