A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka, Alaska, Sikrosky MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew medevaced a passenger from the cruise ship Explorer of the Seas in the vicinity of Kake, Alaska, on July 11.
The Jayhawk crew safely hoisted the man and transported him to awaiting emergency medical services personnel in Sitka.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Juneau command center received a medevac request from the captain of the Explorer of the Seas stating a 68-year-old man had fallen down stairs, seriously injuring his ribs and suffering other injuries. A Coast Guard flight surgeon was briefed and recommended the medevac.
“In a situation like this, our main priority is to get assets on scene as soon as possible to ensure the injured receive the treatment they need,” said PO 2 John Parker, watchstander at Coast Guard Sector Juneau. “The swift action of the aircrew along with the expertise of the Explorer of the Seas crew allowed the man to be quickly transferred to higher medical care.”
Weather on scene at the time of the hoist was 10-miles-per-hour winds.
