Indian Navy Rescues Sick Seychelles Coast Guard Official

An advanced light helicopter (ALH) from the Kochi-based naval air station INS Garuda was deployed to evacuate the woman official.

The woman crew member of a Seychelles Coast Guard ship after being evacuated (Twitter/@DefencePROkochi)

New Delhi: The Indian Navy on Thursday rescued a woman crew member of a Seychelles Coast Guard ship after she reported a health problem, the Defence Ministry said.

The Seychelles Coast Guard ship, Zoroaster, was on a voyage from Kochi to Victoria, capital of the Seychelles. It was being escorted by INS Sharda.

A woman official of Seychelles Coast Guard ship, Allison Labiche, reported severe abdominal pains and was shifted to INS Sharda by boat for further medical management. The patient is under observation and her condition is stable.

The official Twitter handle of PRO Defence Kochi said an advanced light helicopter (ALH) from the Kochi-based naval air station INS Garuda was deployed to evacuate the woman official. A Seaking 42C helicopter was also kept on standby.

"At about 9:30 am on April 14, a crew member of SCGS Zoroaster, reported severe abdominal pains and was shifted to INS Sharda by boat, for further medical management and evacuation," a media release said.

The INS Sharda was approximately 15 km north of Minicoy island.

"Immediately, an indigenously built ALH and a Seaking 42C helicopter were prepared at Kochi for medical evacuation. An ALH helicopter with a Naval Medical Officer onboard took off from INS Garuda to effect rendezvous with INS Sharda," the statement said.

"The aircraft landed back at Garuda with the patient at 16.50 hours. The patient was immediately taken to INHS Sanjivani by ambulance. The patient is under observation and her condition is stable," the statement further said.