Coast Guard conducts medical evacuation from cruise ship

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SAN DIEGO -- A Coast Guard Sector San Diego helicopter crew conducted a medical evacuation of a 71-year-old man from the cruise ship Norwegian Sun, 80 miles west of San Diego at 7:15 a.m., today.

The cruise ship called the Sector San Diego command center early this morning to report a passenger was experiencing trouble breathing. A flight surgeon determined the man required a medical evacuation, and the helicopter was diverted to the location.

"It's great to be able to have the resources to help someone in need," said Lieutenant Josh Nelson, a pilot on the medical evacuation. "The patient was in a wheelchair when we picked him up, so when we hoisted him, it was easier to keep him in the basket for transfer to the EMS."

The helicopter crew met the cruise ship and hoisted the passenger.  They returned to Sector San Diego where the patient was transferred, in stable condition, to awaiting emergency medical personnel. He was taken to University of California San Diego Medical Center in Hillcrest, Calif. for medical care.