Plane Skids Off Runway, Catches Fire

DENVER (AP) - A Continental Airlines jet taking off from the
Denver airport veered off the runway into a ravine and caught fire
Saturday night, forcing more than 100 passengers to evacuate on
emergency slides and injuring nearly 40 people. None appear to have
life-threatening injuries.
The airport's aviation manager says 38 people were taken to
hospitals.
The manager says the Boeing 737 veered off course about 2,000
feet from the end of the runway and did not appear to be airborne.
Ground crews put out the flames quickly.
According to the FAA, Continental Flight 1404 was departing
Denver for Houston. Denver was cold but not snowy at the time, and
roads to the airport were dry.
Continental says there were 112 people on board, 107 passengers
and five crew members.
Area hospitals report at least 14 people are being treated.
The cause of the accident isn't immediately known.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)