Armed Forces evacuate Italian fisherman

 Yesterday afternoon the Armed Forces of Malta was involved in a medical evacuation of an Italian fisherman who was taken ill while onboard a fishing vessel.
 
The AFM Rescue Coordination Centre received a call from the crew of an Italian fishing vessel that was sailing some 16 nautical miles northwest of Gozo, requesting the urgent medical evacuation of one of its crew members. The fisherman onboard 'Santa Maria di Costantinopli' was reported to be unconscious and required urgent medical attention.
 
An Allouette III helicopter from the AFM's Air Wing was immediately dispatched to the area to perform a medical evacuation.  The operation was carried out without mishap, the fisherman hoisted safely aboard the helicopter and transported expeditiously to Malta for treatment at Mater Dei hospital.