Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter file photo
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard medevaced a cruise ship passenger approximately 100 miles east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, Thursday morning.
Watchstanders at the 5th District command center in Portsmouth received notification at approximately 7:15 p.m. Wednesday from the cruise ship Carnival Horizon’s crew that a 33-year-old woman was suffering appendicitis-like symptoms and needed a medevac.
An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, responded. Upon arrival, the helicopter crew hoisted the passenger and medevaced her to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Norfolk.
“The Carnival Horizon diverted their course towards shore, which expedited our response time,” said Lt. j.g. Daniel J. Dunn, command duty officer at the 5th District command center. “The success of this case was a result of exceptional coordination between the cruise ship, the command center and Air Station Elizabeth City.”
