(Photo provided by the US Coast Guard)
The Coast Guard medevaced a cruise ship passenger near Kake on Tuesday (7-11-17), after he sustained serious injuries in a fall.
Watchstanders received a medevac request from the captain of the cruise ship Explorer of the Seas, after a 68-year-old man had fallen down stairs and reportedly injured his ribs and sustained other injuries.
Air Station Sitka launched a helicopter crew, who safely hoisted the man and transported him to awaiting emergency services personnel in Sitka.
Although the Explorer of the Seas has a helipad, the helicopter pilot opted for the hoist. According to Coast Guard officials contacted by KCAW, mission commanders have the discretion to medevac in the safest manner possible.
The weather on the scene at the time of the hoist was 10-mph winds.
Video: Air Station Sitka rescues cruise passenger
