MyPE

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Fisherman in diabetic coma evacuated in rough seas

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Ian Gray, NSRI Port Elizabeth station commander, said; “At 14h30 on Tuesday 14 October, NSRI Port Elizabeth volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated following a request for assistance from the fishing trawler SANTA MARIA reporting to be 25 nautical miles West of Port Elizabeth with a crewman onboard suffering what they suspected to be a stroke but on investigation by NSRI it was confirmed the patient to be suffering hypoglycaemia and most likely in a diabetic coma.

“Our NSRI Port Elizabeth volunteer sea rescue duty crew launched our sea rescue craft EIKOS RESCUER IV and SPIRIT OF TOFT, each accompanied by an EC Government Health EMS rescue paramedic, and responded in rough confused seas with a gusting 35 knot South Easterly wind to rendezvous with the trawler that was making slow progress in the strong surf and wind conditions heading towards Port Elizabeth.

“Our sea rescue craft EIKOS RESCUER IV arrived on-scene first and on arrival on-scene NSRI rescue crew and the EMS rescue paramedic were transferred onto the trawler where they found the patient found to be unresponsive and in a serious condition in a diabetic coma.

“Following medical treatment and medications the patients condition was stabilised by the paramedic and on our sea rescue craft SPIRIT OF TOFT arriving on-scene the patient was transferred onto the larger sea rescue craft and paramedics continued with medical treatment onboard where the patients condition stabilised considerably and on reaching the Port of Port Elizabeth the patients condition had normalised to the degree where he no longer required transportation to hospital and he was released, requiring no further assistance, and he will visit his own doctor for a medical follow-up at a later stage.”

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.