5 Delta passengers injured in severe turbulence, flight made emergency landing in Reno

A Delta Air Lines flight en route from California to Washington was forced to make an emergency landing in Reno, Nevada, on Wednesday after five passengers were injured due to severe turbulence. 

The flight touched down in Reno about 1:30 PST, according to Reno-Tahoe International Airport spokesperson Brian Kulpin. 

Kulpin said three of the injured passengers were transported to a local hospital. 

A twitter post from a passenger said the flight encountered "crazy turbulence and injuries." 

A strong winter storm is impacting the region and the National Weather Service in Reno has warned aviators that periods of "downright dangerous flying conditions with extreme turbulence" could exist. 

More:Winter storm: Flight woes ease after Tuesday's mess

The storm is expected to last through the end of the week and has triggered a multitude of travel and storm warnings. 

"This is a particularly dangerous situation for aviation in the lee of the Sierra over the next few days," the weather service's forecast continued on. 

The regional flight, which is operated by Compass Airlines, was in flight between Santa Ana, California, and Seattle when it was forced to divert to Reno. 

The flight, number 5763, had 59 passengers and 4 crew on board and landed safely, according to a statement from Compass Airlines. 

"We apologize for this experience as we get customers to Seattle," the statement said. 

The remaining passengers have been given food and a comfortable place to wait before being transferred to other flights, according to Kulpin.