Air carrier flight crew reported they had to brake suddenly to avoid another taxiing aircraft resulting in injuries to flight attendants.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported they had to brake suddenly to avoid another taxiing aircraft resulting in injuries to flight attendants.
Narrative
We pushed back from Gate XX at ZZZ. The push crews headsets were intermittent at best during the push so we both remained vigilant during the push and had to use hand signals for disconnect. With the push clearance ramp told us to expect Runway XX after we were set up for XYL departure. After completing the runway change we called for taxi clearance. Ramp instructed us to make a left 270 and taxi on 1 and expect further instructions. We made the left 180 and began working our way to 1. There was a Company X airbus 320 series facing west on the line; a Company X 737 facing west abeam the tower on 1 and a Company Y 737 taxiing west on 2. We started to taxi over 1 and the aircraft continued northbound. We were in a 9ER so I was expecting a bit of an oversteer for the left turn onto 1. As we did start the turn the Company Y aircraft was approaching us quickly on 2; they were taxiing at a fast speed especially on a ramp. I quickly said stop stop stop. With the fast closure rate with the Company Y aircraft I applied brake pressure; I believe the Captain did as well; per a discussion after the event. The aircraft abruptly came to a stop and ramp immediately asked if we were making the turn onto 1. Company Y passed and we made the left turn back onto 1 and quickly discussed we need to check with the flight attendants to make sure they were okay. The flight attendants called up within an estimated 15 seconds and informed us the two flight attendants in the rear of the aircraft were injured. One cart came out and hit one flight attendants foot and caused immediate swelling. An object came out and struck the other flight attendant in the head causing a cut on his left temple. We coordinated a gate return to XX with operations and had paramedics meet the aircraft. The two flight attendants were checked by paramedics and two new flight attendants recrewed the flight. Appropriate calls to Dispatch; chief pilot were made. Inflight supervisor did come to the aircraft as well as chief pilot. The Captain and I both checked on the injured flight attendants and discussed our mental state to continue the pairing; along with the Chief Pilot. We assessed we were good to continue and we operated ZZZ-ZZZ1.
Second reporter narrative
Pushed off of [Gate] XX in ZZZ we noted that it was a busy ramp area. Before pushback we got a new runway assignment of Runway XX. On top of that while pushing back; we lost comms with the pushback crew and had to complete the push via hand signals. After pushback was complete we called ready to taxi. We were instructed to make a left 270 on 1 and to await further instruction. Company X 320 appeared to be on the line and Company X on 1 also facing west. There was also a Company Y 737 westbound on 2 at a good rate. I proceeded to start the turn but got slightly confused as to where they wanted us to point on 1. We continued to taxi in a northern route and the cockpit crossed over 1 with the Company Y 737 still going west on 2. FO (First Officer) said 'Stop stop stop!' I believe I started to press the brakes and then FO proceeded to hit the brakes harder and brought the aircraft to a sudden stop. I believed that we were still clear of the Company Y 737 but he believed we were approaching near collision with their left wing. After the stop ramp control proceeded to check with us that we were completing our left turn onto 1 and we stated we were. Me and FO both agreed that we needed to talk to the FAs (flight attendants) to be sure they were ok. Shortly after we made that decision the FAs called us and informed us that the two aft flight attendants were injured. Person A had sustained a break in his skin on the left upper side of his head and was complaining of throbbing of the upper portion of his face. He had stated an object flew out of where it was stored and stated that Person B had an ankle injury due to a cart hitting her foot. They both said they were unable to continue work and asked for paramedics at the gate. The FO and I then proceeded to coordinate a gate return without further incident. We were met with the Inflight Supervisor as well as Chief Pilot to ensure that the remaining crew was okay and that we could continue the trip.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.