A 72-year-old man who suffered “multiple strokes 300 miles offshore of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii” aboard a cruise ship last week is now recovering after being airlifted to a hospital, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) announced.
Video of the rescue shows a Coast Guard medevac helicopter hovering over the Holland America Line’s Koningsdam ship on Thursday. The helicopter lowered a basket for the man to be lifted into before he was hoisted and taken to Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu.
The Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu received a report the day before that the cruise passenger had suffered multiple strokes. A flight surgeon recommended that he be medevaced within 20 hours, according to a USCG press release.
The following morning, an HC-130 Hercules airplane crew and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point met up with the cruise ship about 60 miles south of Honolulu to execute the rescue.
“By combining the skills of our crews and the specialized capabilities of our aircraft, we are able to respond to emergencies across the vast Pacific region,” said Lt. Cmdr. John Stockton, HC-130 Hercules aircraft commander at Air Station Barbers Point. “Teamwork is critically important for medevacs, which are among the most time-sensitive and high-stakes missions we take on.”
The Coast Guard confirmed that the man, whose identity was not disclosed, is in stable condition. Holland America Line did not immediately respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment.
The operation highlights the Coast Guard’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to medical emergencies in remote maritime locations.
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