Today, April 7, a medical helicopter carrying an 86-year-old patient crashed into the sea in southwestern Japan. The sick woman, doctor and patient caregiver died in the accident. The pilot, mechanic and nurse were rescued. This is reported by UNN with reference to ApNews.
Details
According to the Coast Guard, on April 7, the helicopter was heading to a hospital in Fukuoka from an airport in Nagasaki Prefecture when the accident occurred. As part of the rescue operation, the Coast Guard involved two aircraft and three ships.
66-year-old pilot Hiroshi Hamada, helicopter mechanic Kazuto Yoshitake and 28-year-old nurse Sakura Kunitake were rescued. They were found in the water clinging to inflatable rescue elements.
All three suffered from hypothermia, but were conscious, a Coast Guard spokesman said.
The bodies of 34-year-old doctor Kei Arakawa, 86-year-old patient Mitsuki Motoishi and 68-year-old Kazuyoshi Motoishi, who was caring for her, were later found by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
The Coast Guard said the cause of the accident is currently being investigated.
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