SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A Coast Guard helicopter aircrew saved a 13 year-old girl Friday, just off Mar Chiquita Beach, Manati after a wave swept her off the rocks and threw her into the water.
The survivor, a resident of Dorado, Puerto Rico was wearing street clothes, suffered multiple lacerations and was reported being very weak when the Coast Guard helicopter arrived.
Coast Guard Search and Rescue Coordinators at Sector San Juan received a 911 call at 4:48 p.m. Friday, reporting a person in the water was stuck next to the rocks in Mar Chiquita Beach.
Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen launched a HH-65 Dolphin helicopter to the scene. The Coast Guard helicopter crew located the survivor at 5:08 p.m. Friday, deployed their rescue swimmer and safely hoisted her aboard the aircraft.
The Coast Guard helicopter crew transferred the young survivor in stable condition to Emergency Medical Services personnel awaiting at the scene, who in turn, transported her to the Doctors Center Hospital in Manati to receive further medical care.
“This young girl is alive today thanks to the professionalism of our Coast Guard personnel, and Puerto Rico 911 and Emergency Medical System personnel who responded quickly to the scene, said Capt. James E. Tunstall, Sector San Juan Commander.”
There is a San Juan, Puerto Rico National Weather Service High Surf Advisory in effect until 4 p.m. Saturday for the northwest through northeast coasts of Puerto Rico, Culebra and Vieques and for the Northern U.S. Virgin Islands. Persons on the Beach should be vigilant for large breaking waves surging upon the shore, which can carry people of all sizes into the ocean. People should avoid being near the shore line and stay off rock formations.
