An 81-year old British passenger, who suffered a heart attack on-board the cruise liner, ‘Spirit of Discovery,’ was rescued yesterday afternoon, by the Portuguese Airforce (PAF).
The ship, which was 290 miles (537 km) off the northeast Madeiran coast radioed the alert at midday. The Lisbon Co-ordinating Search and Rescue Centre (RCC Lisbon) working closely with the Portuguese Airforce – Porto Santo Air Detachment, immediately scrambled a EH-101 Merlin helicopter and a CASA C-295 (a medium tactical transport aircraft) to assist with the medical evacuation.
The British passenger was safely rescued by the EH-101 team during the afternoon, and immediately transported to the Dr Nélio Mendonça Hospital.
Sailing from Southampton, the ‘Spirit of Discovery,’ docked in Funchal harbour this morning, and will depart for Tenerife later on today.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
