CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued a 52-year-old man Monday night, suffering from heart-attack-like symptoms while out on a charter boat about 20 miles east of South Padre Island, Texas.
At approximately 7 p.m., the 55-foot charter boat Osprey II called Coast Guard Station South Padre Island watchstanders on the radio to request assistance for the man. It was reported there was a gentleman aboard experiencing heart attack symptoms. Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi watchstanders diverted an aircrew aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi.
When the helicopter arrived on scene, the aircrew lowered their rescue swimmer and hoisted the man aboard. He was transported to the Brownsville Airport where EMS was waiting to take him to the Valley Regional Medical Center in Harlingen.
“We are grateful to be able to help bring this man to higher level medical care,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class John Calhoun, the rescue swimmer from the helicopter. “We would like to thank the crew of the Osprey II for their professionalism, which enabled us to make a difficult hoist possible.”