TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., — A rescue crew from Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City conducted a medical evacuation of an 86-year-old woman from Beaver Island, Tuesday.
An Operations Watchstander at the Air Station received a call from Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie at about 1:50 p.m. requesting assistance with a medical emergency on Beaver Island. Due to the weather conditions and low ceiling, it was determined that a plane or boat would not be feasible.
The helicopter crew launched at about 2:20 p.m. and arrived on scene at Beaver Island Airfield within a half hour. Because of the low ceiling and visibility of about one-quarter mile, the helicopter crew had to utilize low altitude flying techniques which require them to fly at a reduced speed and at a lower altitude.
The crew met local EMS at the airfield and transferred the woman into the helicopter. She was then flown back to the Air Station where local EMS then transferred her to Munson Hospital.
