Coast Guard medevacs ailing cruise ship passenger

SAN DIEGO -- A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew from San Diego medically evacuated a 77-year-old woman aboard a cruise ship 230 miles southwest of San Diego Saturday afternoon.

The crew of the Carnival Spirit contacted the Coast Guard at 12:30 p.m., requesting a medevac for the woman who they said was experiencing symptoms of a stroke.

A Coast Guard flight surgeon was consulted, and recommended an immediate medevac.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew launched from Coast Guard Sector San Diego to perform the medevac, and a C-130 Hercules plane from Air Station Sacramento also launched to provide communications support and coordination for the case, and served as an escort for the helicopter.

Once on scene, the helicopter crew hoisted the woman and the ship's nurse and transported them the Sector San Diego at approximately 6 p.m.

The woman was transferred to emergency medical personnel for further care.

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