Coast Guard medevacs woman with head injury in Stephens Passage, Alaska

News Release

June 17, 2017 U.S. Coast Guard 17th District Alaska Contact: 17th District Public Affairs Office: (907) 463-2065 After Hours: (907) 209-8731

Coast Guard medevacs woman with head injury in Stephens Passage, Alaska

JUNEAU, Alaska— A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew medevaced an 81-year-old female with a head injury from the 112-foot cruise ship Island Spirit, in the vicinity of Stephens Passage, Alaska, Friday night.

The Jayhawk crew safely hoisted the woman and transported her to awaiting EMS personnel in Juneau.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Juneau command center received a medevac request from the Island Spirit crew reporting the woman had fallen, severely injuring her head. Watchstanders consulted the duty flight surgeon and requested the launch of the Jayhawk crew.

“Due to the head trauma and weather conditions, we determined the best course of action was to get her off the Island Spirit and place her aboard the Jayhawk helicopter, a more stable platform for transport,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Richard Hinderhofer, watchstander at Sector Juneau command center. “The aircrew’s readiness, along with the professionalism of the Island Spirit, enabled us to quickly transport the woman to advanced medical care.”

 

-USCG-