Image Available: Coast Guard medevacs injured patient from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands following Hurricane Irma

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 09/14/2017 04:34 PM EDT

united states coast guard 

News Release  

Sept. 14, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 7th District Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands
Contact: Coast Guard Puerto Rico PA Office
Office: (787) 729-2381
After Hours: (787) 510-7923


Coast Guard medevacs injured patient from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands following Hurricane Irma

 

Coast Guard Air Station Borinqun, Puerto Rico MH-65 Dolphin helcopter crew transfers a 60-year-old man with a reported head injury to awaiting emergency medical services at the air station, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017.

 

Editor's Note: Click on images to download high resolution version.  

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The crew of a Coast Guard rescue helicopter medevaced a 60-year-old man Thursday evening from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

The man sustained a severe head injury Tuesday evening from a downed power line following Hurricane Irma.  A Good Samaritan who witnessed the event was able to transport the man to the Schneider Regional Medical Center in St. Thomas.

Coast Guard  watchstanders in Sector San Juan were later contacted by the Schneider Medical Center requesting medevac assistance for the injured patient, who required medical care off the island.  The crew of a patrolling Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Borinquen was diverted to medevac the patient.  Upon arriving on scene, the Coast Guard helicopter crew embarked the injured patient and transported him to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he was transferred to awaiting Emergency Medical Service personnel.

"We are very glad to have been able to respond to this medevac request and transport the patient to Puerto Rico so he may receive the appropriate medical care he requires," said Lt. Matt Hardgrove, Air Station Borinquen MH-65 Dolphin helicopter pilot.  "Hurricane Irma has come and gone leaving devastation in its path. The Coast Guard response to the U.S. Virgin Islands is still ongoing and our aircrews continue to actively engage and provide the necessary support or assistance required."

The patient was transported by EMS to the Puerto Rico “Centro Medical Hospital” in San Juan.

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-USCG-