Spirit Airlines passengers get sick from ‘dirty socks’ odor in cabin

Spirit

• A Spirit
  Airlines flight from New York to Fort Lauderdale had to be
  diverted to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina after passengers
  complained of burning throats and chest pains caused by a
  strange smell. 
• The odor is reported to have resembled “dirty
  socks.” 
• Rescue officials in Myrtle Beach who examined the plane
  were not able to confirm what caused the smell. 

  ---

A Spirit Airlines flight from New York to Fort Lauderdale.
Florida had to be diverted to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on
Thursday night after passengers aboard complained of burning
throats and chest pains caused by an odor that resembled, “dirty
socks.” 

Spirit Airlines Flight 779 took off from LaGuardia Airport around
8:30 p.m. on Thursday night. The crew decided to make an
unscheduled landing in South Carolina when a strange smell
began to pervade the cabin. 

On a radio recording made by Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue,
first reported by NBC4 New York, a rescue worker
says, “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.” 

Passengers complained that the odor smelled like “dirty socks,”
as according to NBC4 New York, aside from those passengers
reporting chest and throat discomfort, some people were vomiting
and one woman was found unconscious.

A total of 220 passengers were on-board the flight, with NBC4
reporting between seven-to-10 of them
were transported to a local hospital for exposure to “a
possible unknown substance.” The Associated Press reports

only one person was taken to the hospital. 

Lt. Christian Sliker, of the Myrtle Beach Fire Department, told
NBC4, “After extensive monitoring and hazmat crews entering into
the fuselage, no substances were found. The plane is all
clear.” 

Spirit Airlines did not respond to Business Insider’s request for
comment. 

According to the AP, a replacement plane was provided by Spirit
Airlines, leaving Myrtle Beach at 3:30 a.m. Friday, and finally
landing at Fort Lauderdale at 4:45 a.m. 

Officials are still not sure what made so many people on-board
sick. 

A photo posted on Twitter shows the passengers de-boarding the
plane upon its landing in Myrtle Beach.