A Coast Guard
helicopter crew rescued a 64-year-old woman suffering from appendicitis aboard a cruise ship 170 miles south of New Orleans this afternoon.
The Coast Guard was notified at 10:45 a.m. by the cruise ship Conquest that a passenger required urgent medical attention. An HH-65B Dolphin helicopter from Air Station New Orleans was dispatched to the scene where the crew lowered a rescue swimmer and litter to the cruise ship. The patient was placed into the rescue litter and brought aboard the helicopter for transfer to a local hospital, escorted by a nurse from the cruise ship.
Once aboard the helicopter, the crew transported her to West Jefferson Medical Center in Harvey, La. where she is reported to be in stable condition.