CLEVELAND – A rescue helicopter crew from U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City, Mich., medically evacuated a 74-year-old man reportedly exhibiting signs of a stroke from Beaver Island at about 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Beaver Island Emergency Medical Services requested assistance from the Coast Guard at about 9 a.m. Air Station Traverse City immediately dispatched an HH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter crew.
An emergency medical technician from Beaver Island EMS accompanied the patient onboard the helicopter for the duration of the transport.
“It’s good for us when local EMS accompanies a patient,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Theodore Mace, the flight mechanic aboard the helicopter. “He had been with him all morning and knew his vitals and where his high and low points were.”
The crew transferred the Beaver Island resident safely to shore at Air Station Traverse City, and awaiting EMS transported him to Munson Hospital.
