The RCIPS helicopter was called into action earlier today to medevac a man suffering from chest and back pains from North Side to George Town.

About 10.40am on Wednesday, police were informed by 911 that the 81-year-old patient had been assessed in his home by a Fire Service Emergency Medical responder (EMR). It had been determined that the man required to attend hospital for further assessment and attention, however the North Side ambulance was engaged with another medical call.  In the interests of time, and the need to ensure that the patient received medical care as quickly as possible,  911 dispatched the police helicopter with a HSA paramedic and the RCIPS emergency medical responder trained crew, configured as an Air Ambulance.

The fire service assisted in blocking off roads in the area to allow the helicopter to land at the entrance to Hutland Drive (pictured). The patient was then flown to Owen Roberts International Airport where he was picked up by a waiting ambulance and transported to the Cayman Islands Hospital.

This latest medevac follows one which took place on Tuesday, 2 July, when a 62-year-old man was transported from Little Cayman to Grand Cayman. The patient had been suffering from a suspected heart complaint and was medevaced along with a paramedic by the RCIPS Air Operations Unit as no other air ambulance options were available.

Steve Fitzgerald, the officer in charge of the RCIPS Air Operations Unit, said  “The versatility and speed of response of the helicopter and the training of our crews, together with our partnerships with the HSA and other agencies, ensure that we are continuing to maximize the potential for the benefit of the people of the Cayman Islands, residents and visitors alike.”