Again Portugal’s Air Force has distinguished itself by successfully airlifting a passenger from a passing cruise ship and taking her without delay to Faro airport.
The 84-year-old Briton was taken by helicopter from Cunard's Queen Mary II as she cruised about 27 miles southeast of Portimão.
The passenger was suffering heart attack symptoms and the Air Force was called out early on Sunday morning despite the strong winds and torrential rain that sweeping the Algarve.
The medical evacuation was performed by the crew of an EH-101 helicopter and was coordinated by Lisbon’s Maritime Search and Rescue service, in conjunction with the ambulance service ship-to-shore advice service.
The passenger’s medical condition was described by the ship’s crew as critical and the airlift was ordered without delay.
The patient was evacuated at 2:10 a.m. with the helicopter landing at Faro Airport by 3:10 a.m..
The Britsh woman then was transferred by ambulance to Faro hospital’s cardiac unit where her condition is described as stable.
A video clip of the rescue is available here:
(Scroll down and hit 'Play')
