Three children are said to be among 16 people injured when a United Airlines plane made an emergency landing at Shannon Airport.

They were on-board flight UA-880 from Houston in the US to Heathrow in London.

The plane diverted to Shannon with a medical situation after it encountered severe turbulence.

However, Shannon Airport say 14 passengers and two flight crew were transferred to University Hospital Limerick.

The flight landed safely just before 6.00am this morning.

HSE ambulances were also at the scene to meet the flight, with passengers and crew being treated at the airport.

The majority have since been discharged from hospital and are expected to continue on their journey later.

Reporter David Raleigh told the Pat Kenny Show here on Newstalk several people suffered head injuries when the plane hit a wind pocket.