Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 130; Flight Crew Total 12318; Flight Crew Type 5704
Situational Awareness; Distraction; Communication Breakdown
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
Flight Crew Returned To Gate; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Human Factors; Procedure
We had pushed off of gate. After calling for taxi; ground control instructed us to taxi to runway via X; Y; behind another air carrier. I read back the instructions. The controller then issued new instructions. We were to taxi to [runway] via Z; A; Y; behind the other aircraft. I read back the instructions and the Captain then verified the instructions by repeating them to me. We started to taxi via Z. I then saw that the Aircraft Y had turned onto taxiway X heading east toward us. The distance from taxiway Y to Z on X is rather short. I became concerned that perhaps the Captain hadn't noticed the other aircraft had turned onto taxiway X. I told him we had to stop for the Aircraft Y. Due to the timing and short distance involved an abrupt stop was necessary to avoid encroaching onto the taxiway in front of the other aircraft. After the stop I called the cabin to see if the flight attendants were okay. The flight attendant I spoke with informed me that she was injured and that she believed all the flight attendants were injured. I asked if they needed medical assistance and she said yes. I informed ground we had possible injuries and needed to return to the gate. I then called operations to inform them of our return and to have medical assistance dispatched to meet us. We returned to gate where the flight attendants were taken to receive treatment.
Taxiing from gate Ground Control instructed taxi X; Y [to] runway behind Aircraft Y. We saw traffic on Y abeam us and as we turned to enter Z Ground stated to taxi Z; A; Y [to] runway behind Aircraft Y. During all this time we assumed traffic was taxiing to [runway.] As I was eyes left to look for traffic on X and A and then centering slightly nose right about 1230; FO stated are you stopping for the other aircraft. I was stunned the traffic was there on X immediately stopped. Ground speed was 3-10 knots which resulted in injured person and galley noises. FA called to say there's 4 injured FAs and we need to return to the gate and have paramedics meet the plane. We returned to the gate and called for paramedics. Four FAs and one passenger were injured and sent to the hospital; eventually being released. I called the appropriate people and company for assistance.
A taxiing B757 Captain did not see an aircraft which they were cleared to follow. After the First Officer pointed out the developing conflict with it; he executed an emergency stop which injured four flight attendants and one passenger.