ILL SAILOR WINCHED FROM BULK CARRIER AT HAY POINT

March 16, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



RACQ CQ Rescue has landed on 292-metre long bulk carrier anchored at Hay Point to airlift a sick crewman to hospital.

The Mackay-based rescue helicopter was tasked about 3.30pm yesterday that a 29-year-old Filipino sailor had taken ill on the vessel Pan Bona and required immediate hospitalisation.

Fortunately, the Bell 412 flew direct to the vessel within 10 minutes of take off and was able to land on the heli deck of the huge vessel, which was moored at the Hay Point anchorage, about 40km south of Mackay.

The patient was attended to by the rescue helicopter medical crew, including a doctor, Critical Crew Paramedic and rescue crewman, and was loaded into the helicopter within 30 minutes while the rotor blades continued to turn.

The patient was flown directly to Mackay Base Hospital in a stable condition arriving about 4.15pm.

It is believed the vessel had been in port in South Korea about 18 days ago so the helicopter flight crew took Covid-19 precautions and wore personal protective equipment during the flight.

 [ENDS]

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Please credit any released photos and video footage to RACQ CQ Rescue.
Please note: Full title of rescue service is RACQ CQ Rescue.

For further information please contact:
Naomi Noy
RACQ CQ Rescue
Ph: 0417 578 182