Beau Zimmer

WTSP-TV, Tampa-St. Petersburg, Fla.

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Four people were injured due to turbulence before a plane made an emergency landing at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport Monday.

Allegiant Flight 916 was going from Fort Lauderdale to Asheville, N.C., when the turbulence hit about 30 to 40 minutes into the flight. A flight attendant hit her head, and three other passengers were injured.

An airline representative said the flight attendant was in the middle of drink service when the turbulence hit and she flew up in the air and came down on top of a passenger. The airline says the flight attendant suffered a gash to her face but was conscious and alert. She was taken to an area hospital for treatment. The passenger was also injured.

Another passenger suffered neck pain, and the third received a leg injury when the drink cart crashed into them. All of those were minor injuries and they were not taken to hospitals.

"It felt like a bad rollercoaster ride," said passenger Jeff Adler. "I'm thinking this is going to be a plane crash."

The seat belt light was illuminated at the time, according to the airline.

"It was like getting in a car crash," said passenger Nicolas Harrington. "Everything flew up for like two seconds, everyone sat down and were like, 'What just happened?'"

The airline says the passengers would be given lodging for the night in the St. Petersburg area and are being offered a full refund, or the choice to fly out Tuesday morning to Asheville or back to Fort Lauderdale. They will also be given a $100 voucher for the inconvenience.