Portuguese Airforce saves life on Azores

The Portuguese Air Force rescued, during the dawn of April 28, a 79-year-old crew member, of British nationality, who was on board the passenger ship “WONDER OF THE SEAS”, who needed urgent medical care 785 km southwest of the “Ilha Terceira”, Azores.

The helicopter EH-101 Merlin, from Squad 751 named “Pumas”, took off from Air Base No.4 at 10:30 pm. Accompanying and supporting this mission was the C-295M from Squad 502, named “Elephants”.

The crew member was successfully transported to Lajes Airport, on Terceira Island, landing around 11:40 pm (local time) on April 28, where a medical team was waiting to transport him to a hospital unit.

The Lajes Search and Rescue Coordination Center (RCC Lajes) was involved in this operation, in conjunction with the Ponta Delgada Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC Delgada), the Urgent Patients Orientation Center (CODU-MAR ), an ambulance from the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service, and the Foreigners and Borders Service.