Eight people were hospitalised and two others injured after a flight out of Australia suddenly plunged into severe turbulence.Food and mobile phones were sent flying through the cabin after Flight CX156 experienced the bout of turbulence, sparking chaotic scenes on board.It occurred about two hours before the scheduled flight was due to land.With breakfast being served at the time, the cabin was soon caked in food after the horrendous scene unfolded.The unexpected debacle sent crew members and unbelted passengers flying, with cabin crew in the aisles reportedly suffering the brunt.Cathay Airlines confirmed to the ABC that 10 people were injured in the incident – six cabin crew members and four passengers.Of the injured parties, eight required admission to hospital once the plane safely landed in Hong Kong, at about 6.45am, local time.Nicholas Stevenson, a businessman from Cairns, described the ordeal to the ABC.“I thought the plane was going down. There were phones flying, coffees smashed into the roof, food absolutely everywhere,” Mr Stevenson explained.“People were screaming. There was a lot of people really freaking out.”He said the turbulence struck without warning, just as cabin crew had begun serving breakfast.“They’d just turned the lights on, people were waking up, and they’d started giving out meals,” Mr Stevenson added. “There was no seatbelt sign or warning before hand.“The first one [episode of turbulence] caught everyone completely off guard, and then probably 15 or 20 seconds later it happened again.“Anyone that didn’t have their belts on hit the roof.”Mr Stevenson said that people injured on the flight were assisted by four doctors, who were on board the flight, which was unable to find an alternative site to land.He added: “The pilot said they believed it was some sort of thunder or lightning cell.“He said they didn’t really see it on the radar until the last minute because it was dark.“When we landed, they told everyone to stay seated because the injured people had to get off first.“I just remember thinking there is not much else you can do in that situation.“I just sat there with my belt on hoping for the best.”Cathay Airlines has been approached for comment. Read related topics:Brisbane