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A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew assists an injured hunter during a medevac off Mount Verstovia near Sitka, Alaska, Nov. 7, 2014. The hunter had reportedly suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his leg and was transported to medical care in Sitka. U.S. Coast Guard video by Air Station Sitka. |
KODIAK, Alaska — A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew safely medevaced an injured hunter off Mount Verstovia, a few miles east of Sitka Friday.
The Jayhawk crew transported the man to Air Station Sitka where he was transferred to awaiting emergency medical services for further medical attention.
Coast Guard 17th District command center watchstanders received a request for assistance from the Sitka Fire Department who reported a hunter had suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the leg. The duty flight surgeon was notified and the Jayhawk crew was dispatched to the scene.
“Because of the great communication between the Sitka Fire Department, the hunter and our watchstanders in the command center, we were able to locate the hunter and get him to the medical care he needed,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jamie Flood, a flight mechanic aboard the helicopter. "The Coast Guard encourages hunters to have a reliable means of communication in case they need to call for help in an emergency."
Sitka Police Department is investigating the cause of the incident.
Weather on scene was reported as overcast with 10-mile visibility and 17 mph winds.