Airline passengers injured in severe turbulence have claimed their ambulance was held up for almost an hour by "uncaring'' airport Customs officers.

Jackie Richardson suffered bumps and bruises, a neck strain and burns from spilt coffee during a rocky ride back from a weekend shopping in New York.

The 54-year-old said her ambulance was stopped from leaving the airport because she had not filled out Customs declaration forms during the drama a week ago.

And she became embroiled in an angry discussion on the airfield with one Customs officer -- while paramedics were fitting her with a neck brace and the ambulance was preparing to leave.

Ms Richardson's niece McRene Simmons, who also needed medical attention, described their treatment by Customs officers as "totally uncompassionate''.

The pair also said they were dismissed by staff from American Airlines, claiming one man slammed an office door in their faces.

Ms Richardson, of Mount Hill, Pembroke, told The Royal Gazette : "They finally allowed our ambulance to leave and we had to go back to the airport to fill out all the forms later.

"We had got off the flight, dazed and confused, and started getting help at the ambulance. But it wasn't allowed to leave and there was a big drama on the airfield because of all the confusion.

"I was made to feel like I was responsible for my own injuries. In fact, I was hit by a trolley, hurt and very, very shocked. It was a nasty experience.

"But instead of any sympathy, we got treated with contempt almost. The officer we dealt with was very uncaring. He just said we couldn't go because we hadn't cleared Customs and immigration.

"Even the ambulance driver was arguing, saying he had to get us straight to the hospital.'' She claimed the ordeal continued when she returned to the airport from hospital.

Ms Richardson went to the American Airlines office -- but said she had the door shut in her face when she denied leaving her airplane seatbelt off.

"This man told us that we should have been wearing our seatbelts,'' she said.

"I told him that we were wearing them and he just slammed the door shut on us. There was total confusion and they treated us terribly.'' The chaos came at the end of a family shopping spree in Manhattan, for McRene's wedding later this year.

McRene, 34, added: "The ride home was a very frightening experience. It wasn't just rough. It was very, very rocky.

"Our injuries could have been a lot worse than they were, yet still we were treated like we'd made up what happened to us or something.

"We're human beings but they just treated us like animals.'' The niece and aunt went to hospital with a stewardess from the flight who was also injured.

Airport Customs Collector Brenda Raynor said: "We only reply to complaints when they are put in writing.'' But American Airlines' Bermuda General Manager Carole DeCouto said: "I can only apologise if this was their experience.

"I don't know how they were greeted when they came to the office because I wasn't there but I will review the whole matter with my staff.

"One thing I will say is that I asked Ms Richardson if she wanted an ambulance as soon as the plane touched down.

"At first, she said no but then seemed to change her mind. Maybe if she'd said she wanted one straight away, there would have been no need for all this and maybe the ambulance would have got away from the airport much quicker.'' CUSTOMS CUS