British scuba diver airlifted by AFM helicopter

A British scuba diver was this morning airlifted by an AFM helicopter after finding himself in difficulty whilst diving near St Paul's Bay. 

An AFM Alouette III amd a Search and Rescue Launch Melita 1 were immediately deployed to the area after the AFM Operations in Luqa received a call from an unnamed Dive Centre just past 11am in which they were told that a British diver was in need of urgent assistance. 

A 'Luzzu' named 'Sea Lion' - which was sailing in the vicinity - provided initial assistance to the diver who was unconscious, according to initial reports. 

The diver was transferred from the 'Luzzu' onto Melita I where first aid was provided. Soon after, the man was winched onboard the AFM helicopter by an AFM rescuer. 

He was eventually conveyed to St Luke's General hospital where an awaiting ambulance took the patient to Mater Dei for further medical treatment. 

The AFM has said that the condition of the diver has since improved and it was last reported that he was in a "conscious state".