Cruise Passenger Medevaced in Alaska

   August 29, 2017 ,   Accidents

A 76-year old woman is currently in Juneau AK recovering from injuries after falling down stairs on a cruise vessel over the weekend.

An Air Station Sitka helicopter crew medevaced the woman from the 32-passenger Island Spirit ship in Pavlof Harbor, about 57 mi northeast of Sitka on Chichagof Island.

Port of Sitka

Image: Port of Sitka

The ship notified the USCG about the accident on Sunday evening, August 27. The woman had fallen down stairs on the vessel and suffered compound fracture of her left leg and arterial bleeding.

Air Station Sitka helicopter was on scene shortly before 9:00 p.m. Emergency first aid was provided to the woman by a rescue swimmer and flight nurse, to control bleeding and reduce the risk of shock. The passenger was hoisted aboard the helicopter and then flown to Juneau's Bartlett Regional Hospital.