The LifeFlight Bundaberg-based aeromedical crew yesterday winched a man to safety after he became unwell onboard a stranded yacht.
Another sailor on the boat contacted Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) for help as they were unable to return to land due to engine difficulties and a damaged sail.
Tasked by Retrieval Services Queensland, the rescue chopper was tasked to the vessel located 25 nautical miles off Burnett Heads at 3.47pm.
The patient wore a lifejacket and swam a safe distance away from the yacht to be winched into the aircraft by the LifeFlight rescue crew officer.
He was treated onboard by the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) flight critical care paramedic.
The remaining sailor and yacht were towed to shore by MRQ shortly after.
The man, aged in 70s, was airlifted in a stable condition to the LifeFlight Bundaberg base and then driven by ambulance to Bundaberg Hospital for further treatment.
The Bundaberg-based LifeFlight helicopter and crew service the Wide Bay-Burnett region and beyond.
