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| A Coast Guard rescue swimmer from Air Station Houston is lowered to the cargo ship Saimaagracht to medevac the chief mate suffering from coughing blood and difficulty breathing Sunday, June 8, 2014. U.S. Coast Guard video. |
HOUSTON — A Coast Guard aircrew medevaced a Russian man Sunday, who was coughing up blood and had difficulty breathing while his ship was anchored about 11 miles south of Cameron, Louisiana.
The crew of the cargo ship Saimaagracht contacted Coast Guard Sector Houston/Galveston watchstanders at 2:15 p.m., reporting that the chief mate was having problems. A flight surgeon determined a speedy medevac by helicopter was the best option for him. The Coast Guard launched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and crew from Air Station Houston, including a rescue swimmer on his first response since reporting from Alaska.
"He definitely needed help," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Edward Richardson, the rescue swimmer aboard the helicopter. "He would have gone down hill for sure."
Richardson noted that with a significant lack of blood a person can go into shock and possibly die. Richardson was standing watch for the first time this weekend since reporting to the air station a little more than a month ago.
They landed at Chennault International Airport at about 4 p.m., where they were met by an ambulance which took him to Lake Charles Memorial Hospital.
The man is reported to be in stable condition.