A New Zealand man, who became unwell whilst snorkelling, was airlifted to safety from Hardy Reef last week and taken to Mackay Base Hospital in a stable condition.
The 59-year-old man had been swimming at the popular tourist destination which is located 80km north-east of Airlie Beach.
At about 1pm on Thursday, June 30, the man reportedly became unwell after returning to the vessel and alerted the crew who made the 000 call.
The crew were instructed to transfer the ill man by tender to Reefworld for further medical assistance.
RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter was then despatched with a doctor and Critical Care Paramedic on board.
It flew direct to a floating pontoon at Hardy Reef, not far from Reefworld.
The chopper hovered overhead as the medical team, including a paramedic and rescue crewman, were winched down onto the pontoon and then transferred to Reefworld by boat to assess the patient.
The helicopter continued to orbit Hardy Reef as the medical team worked to stabilise and relocate the patient to the floating pontoon by boat in order to prepare for a winch.
Within 20 minutes of arrival at scene, the paramedic and patient were winched up into the helicopter in an ARV (Air Rescue Vest) off the pontoon, followed after by the rescue crewman.
The patient was flown to Mackay Base Hospital arriving just before 4pm in a stable condition.
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2024 Mackay and Whitsunday Life Pty Ltd.
