Imagery Available: Coast Guard performs medevac 200 miles south of Sitka

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ANCHOARGE, Alaska – Coast Guard rescue crews from Air Stations Sitka and Kodiak medevaced a 55-year-old male reportedly suffering from chest pains aboard the 905-foot U.S. flagged tanker Alaskan Explorer 200 miles south of Sitka at 12:15 p.m. Sunday.

Winfred Opare, hometown unknown, was hoisted safely after the 17th Coast Guard District command center in Juneau received a call from the captain of the Alaskan Explorer requesting the medevac.

After a Coast Guard duty flight surgeon recommended Opare be medevaced, a HC-130 Hercules aircraft crew launched from Kodiak at 9:55 a.m. and a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter rescue crew launched from Sitka at 10:30 a.m.

Both Coast Guard aircrews rendezvoused with the Alaska Explorer at 12:15 p.m. and Opare was safely hoisted aboard the Jayhawk while the Hercules flew overhead providing communication support and a safety watch.

Opare was transported aboard the Jayhawk to Ketchikan and safely delivered to awaiting emergency medical personnel at 2 p.m. for further transport to Ketchikan General Hospital.

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