DENVER -- A Denver fire official said a United Airlines jetliner flying from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles experienced "significant turbulence," injuring about 30 people onboard.

Denver Fire Department spokesman Eric Tade said the plane was able to land safely at Denver International Airport, where medical crews met the flight. He said one person was taken to a hospital with serious injuries, and the others were being treated at the scene.

United Airlines spokeswoman Megan McCarthy said Flight 967 was carrying 255 passengers and 10 crew members, adding that the crew decided to be safe and land in Denver to tend to the injured.

The flight landed in Denver around 7:45 p.m. local time Tuesday. (AP)