Photo Release: Coast Guard assists 61-year-old man suffering from symptoms of paralysis near Deltaville, Va.

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 07/17/2019 03:04 PM EDT

united states coast guard 

Photo Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 5th District Mid-Atlantic
Contact: 5th District Public Affairs
Office: (757) 398-6272
After Hours: (757) 434-7712
5th District online newsroom

Coast Guard assists 61-year-old man suffering from symptoms of paralysis near Deltaville, Va.

Coast Guard servicemembers from Coast Guard Station Milford Haven, Virginia, assist a 61-year-old man who was reportedly suffering from symptoms of paralysis near Deltaville, Virginia, July 17, 2019. The man was taken back to Coast Guard Station Milford Haven, where he was met by awaiting emergency medical services. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Petty Officer 2nd Class Breanna Wagner) 

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

  
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard assisted a 61-year-old man who was reportedly suffering from sudden paralysis near Deltaville, Virginia, Wednesday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Station Milford Haven were contacted by Fishing Bay Marina regarding a distress call they received from a 61-year-old man who stated that he was suffering from symptoms of paralysis from the waist down and was requesting medical assistance.

A 45-foot Response Boat — Medium boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Milford Haven was launched to assist.

Once on scene, the crew transferred the man to the response boat, and transported him to awaiting emergency medical services at Coast Guard Station Milford Haven. The man was then taken to Riverside Walter Reed Hospital in Gloucester, Virginia, for additional treatment. 

“Emergencies can happen any time at sea,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class William Perdue, the coxswain of the response boat. “It’s important to prepare in case something happens by having a plan and having the proper life-saving equipment, like radios and life jackets.”

 

-USCG-