(SitNews) Sitka, Alaska - A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew medevaced a man with multiple injuries from a beach approximately 10 miles north of Sitka Friday.

The man, who reportedly had a tree fall on him while in the woods, was safely transported by the Jayhawk crew to emergency medical service personnel for transfer to Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital in Sitka for additional care.

The search for the injured man began after Coast Guard Sector Juneau watchstanders received a brief distress from the man’s wife over the radio. Watchstanders notified Sitka Mountain Rescue and diverted the Jayhawk crew from a routine patrol to assist.

Watchstanders were contacted by the crew of the good Samaritan fishing vessel Victory, who noticed a flare shot off by the man’s wife and were providing assistance.

Sitka Mountain Rescue arrived on scene and prepared the injured man for transfer to the Coast Guard helicopter. The Jayhawk crew arrived, safely hoisted the patient aboard and returned to Sitka.

“The preparedness of the two people found [Friday] was key to the swift rescue of the injured man,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Rich Hinderhofer, a watchstander at the Sector Juneau command center. “Carrying all the necessary survival gear in your boat makes it much easier for rescuers to find you.”

Source of News: 

USCG
www.uscg.mil

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