USCG airlifts sailor from Navy vessel

A Coast Guard aircrew airlifted a sailor experiencing chest pains from a U.S. Navy destroyer off the coast Tuesday.

Crew members aboard the destroyer USS Ralph Johnson approximately 34 miles offshore called for assistance at 10:31 a.m. A 22-year-old female sailor aboard the ship reported experiencing chest pains and was being treated by naval medical personnel.

A Coast Guard rescue helicopter crew from Port Angeles met up with the destroyer at a coordinated location at approximately 3 a.m. The aircrew was unable to complete an initial hoist attempt due to hazardous weather conditions. The aircrew returned to Port Angeles to refuel.

The aircrew launched a second time at 5:34 a.m. and successfully hoisted the sailor off the destroyer at 6:37 a.m. The patient was transported to awaiting medical personnel at Port Angeles before being taken to Olympic Medical Center for further treatment.