Hong Kong plane reported sitting on Newark tarmac
Posted by The Star-Ledger March 26, 2007 3:58PM
Categories: News
A passenger aboard Continental Flight 98 from Hong Kong has contacted The Star-Ledger to report that passengers have landed at Newark Liberty International Airport after a 14-hour flight but are not being permitted to leave the plane.

The caller, who declined to give his name, said the plane, a full flight, landed at around 2:10 p.m. today. Shortly thereafter an announcement was made on the public address system, saying that because some passengers were sick, no one could leave until "a doctor or someone from the CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control)" arrived.


A number of passengers have flu-like symptoms, according to an official familiar with the incident.

Nathan Rudy, a state Health Department spokesman, said the department had been notified about the situation. He would not release further details, saying the Health Department was still investigating the report.

Contributed by Mary Jo Patterson, Angela Stewart and Ron Marsico