One taken to the hospital following severe turbulence on United flight

One person was taken to the hospital after a United flight was diverted due to severe turbulence Wednesday, the airline said.

United flight 1196, a Boeing 737-900, departed from Cancun and was headed for Chicago, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

The flight was diverted to Memphis after a "brief period of severe turbulence" while the seatbelt sign was on, United said in a statement. The FAA said the turbulence was experienced over Louisiana.

The plane landed safely in Memphis at 2:50 p.m. local time, according to the FAA.

United said paramedics met the plane at the gate and took one passenger to the hospital. The passenger was in non-critical condition, the Memphis Fire Department said.

Six others on the flight declined treatment and transport to a local hospital and the extent of their injuries is unknown, MFD said.

"We're grateful to our crew for their efforts to ensure the safety of our employees and customers and we expect the flight to depart for chicago soon," United said.

The FAA said it will investigate this incident.