ASTORIA, Ore. — A Coast Guard helicopter crew medically evacuated a 67-year-old man off a cruise ship over 180 miles off the Columbia River entrance Saturday, Oct. 6. An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Sector Columbia River transferred the man to an air ambulance service crew at the Astoria Airport. Watchstanders in the Coast Guard 13th District command center received a medevac request at around 2 p.m. from the crew of the Explorer of the Seas as the passenger was showing symptoms of a diabetic emergency and potential stroke. The Jayhawk aircrew launched in response, as well as a C-27 Spartan airplane crew from Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento, Calif., who provided long-range communications coverage. Once safe ashore around 6:50 p.m., the passenger was transferred to the air ambulance service crew, who then transported him to Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland for further care.
