Michigan resident Debra Valentine is brought aboard an Air Station Sitka rescue helicopter. (USCG image)
An Air Station Sitka helicopter crew rescued a woman off of Mt. Verstovia Tuesday evening (7-12-16), after she fell and injured her knee.
Another crew hoisted a stroke victim from a cruise ship in Chatham Strait earlier in the day.
59-year-old Debra Valentine, who was visiting Sitka from Michigan, was hiking Mt. Verstovia with her husband Jack at 7 PM Tuesday when the couple became lost. During their misadventure, Debra fell and injured her knee.
Mt. Verstovia is within cell phone range of Sitka. Alaska State Troopers notified the Coast Guard of the couple’s circumstances, and Air Station Sitka diverted a helicopter which was already airborne to assist.
The crew located the couple in a matter of minutes and hoisted Debra aboard and returned her to Sitka where she was met by awaiting emergency medical responders. Jack was escorted down the mountain by a Good Samaritan hiker.
Tuesday was busy for Air Station Sitka. Earlier in the day another flight crew responded to the cruise ship Explorer of the Seas in Chatham Strait. A 57-year old man aboard the ship reportedly was suffering from a stroke. The Coast Guard flight surgeon was consulted and recommended the medevac. The Air Station Sitka helicopter crew hoisted the man from the ship and transported him to Sitka for medical care.
