A320
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 155; Flight Crew Type 308
Distraction; Situational Awareness
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Human Factors
Following a normal pushback; engine start; and after start checklist in ZZZ; we prepared for a single engine taxi out; expecting runway XXL. Taxi clearance from Ramp Control was received; with instructions to 'Contact Metering.' Both the First Officer and I cleared and verbally announced 'Clear left' and 'Clear right' prior to any aircraft movement. Following brake release; my F/O continued to visually confirm that we remained clear of any ground service vehicles as we began our left turn away from the terminal area. During our initial movement; my F/O made me aware of a possible clearance issue with a northbound catering truck (passing from behind our right wing). In order to improve our visibility; as we were already moving forward; I turned on the runway turnoff lights to supplement the already illuminated taxi light. My F/O continued to monitor clearance from the truck; and when it became clear that he was not yielding to our aircraft already under movement; and that there was a significant concern that he might hit us; my F/O announced 'Stop now'. Due to the urgent need to stop the aircraft; we both applied brake pressure. I was not able to see the catering truck until he passed by the front of our aircraft and continued up the terminal service road. Due to the abrupt stop of the aircraft; two of our flight attendants were thrown off balance and impacted the counters in their galley areas. We were not informed of this until after our arrival. After obtaining more information about this event; from the perspective of our flight attendants; I learned that our Purser had struck her head in the area of the coffee pots and bumped her hip on the galley counter. One of our flight attendants in the aft galley bumped her hip and wrist on the galley counter. Both FA's only indicated discomfort and some stiffness in the general impact areas; but no visible injuries were apparent. I offered to obtain medical assistance during our stopover; but both FA's declined and indicated that it would not be necessary prior to our return. I checked on the well being of the two FA's again during our return flight and again upon arrival; with no additional injuries or medical developments indicated by them.
A320 Captain reported several flight attendants sustained minor injuries when the aircraft was stopped abruptly to avoid a collision with a ground service vehicle as they were taxiing away from the gate at ZZZ.