PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard medevaced a 67-year-old man suffering a possible heart attack off Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, Tuesday.
Coast Guard watchstanders at the 5th District command center in Portsmouth were contacted by members of Ocracoke Health Center to transport the man to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Norfolk due to inclement weather in the Outer Banks region, at 10:23 a.m.
An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, launched to assist.
The helicopter crew arrived at Ocracoke Island Airport, hoisted the man aboard and transported him to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
“This case really highlights the skills of our crews and the capabilities of our aircraft to fly in inclement weather,” said Lt. Chris Pulliam, aircraft commander of the Jayhawk helicopter crew. “One of our main goals is to help partner agencies in times like this and to be a team player. We are glad we got the chance to do that today.”