According to Business Insider, a Spirit Airlines flight from New York to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, had to be diverted to make a sudden, emergency landing in Myrtle Beach because the passengers were complaining of their throats burning and chest pains.
The cause: an odor that resembled “dirty socks.”
They literally had to call in the Myrtle Beach Fire Department.
Rescue workers said:
Reports are we have several occupants on a plane exposed to an unknown substance. They have deplaned and are currently on the ramp. We are isolating and are attempting to get in touch with the airport fire.
220 passengers were on this flight, and 12 people were even transported to the local hospital. One passenger vomited, and another was even unresponsive.
Spirit Airlines released a statement to basically say that they have absolutely no idea whose feet were smelling that bad:
The source of the odor is being investigated, and a supplemental aircraft was sent to Myrtle Beach to pick up our Guests. We apologize for the inconvenience this diversion has caused. At Spirit Airlines the safety of our Guests and Crew is paramount,” the airline said.
Legally speaking, these passengers definitely have a case for some money damages here because, in the beginning, they just perceived the odor as an unknown gas. That perception was more than reasonable, so the majority of these passengers really thought their lives were in dangers.
That, alone, is enough to merit some cash settlements. Especially for the 12 people that went to the hospital.
At the very least, these people better get some luggage vouchers for the rest of the year or something.