Injured Italian fisherman rescued by helicopter

A rescue helicopter was scrambled to rescue an injured fisherman aboard a fishing vessel approaching Malta's shores yesterday morning.

Francesco De Tullio, a middle aged fisherman who lives in Bari, lost a finger while on board.

After receiving a distress signal, the Italian authorities contacted the Armed Forces at Malta's Operations' Centre requesting the medical evacuation of the fisherman at 7.30 a.m. At the time, the fishing vessel was some 80 nautical miles south-south-west off Malta.

The fishing vessel was instructed to steer towards Malta as Lampedusa lacked adequate medical facilities for Mr De Tullio's case.

The Italian air force's rescue helicopter based in Malta sighted the fishing vessel at around 9 a.m., some 69 nautical miles out at sea. Lieutenant Colonel Franco Trozzi and Staff Sergeant Norman Sciberras led the crew.

Lance Bombardier Judas Dimech administered first aid and stabilised the patient's condition.

Maresciallo Giancarlo Evangelista later winched both back onboard, where Bombardier Derek Pepe continued to administer specialised treatment to the fisherman.

The helicopter touched down at Mater Dei Hospital at 10.13 a.m.

Meanwhile, another evacuation mission to airlift an elderly Englishman from a cruise liner was performed earlier in the weekend. The man was reported to have been losing a lot of blood.

He was winched off the cruise liner at around 3.15 a.m., some 40 nautical miles east of Malta, the AFM said.

Medical officer Surgeon Lieutenant Colonel Robert Galea was aboard the helicopter to give immediate treatment to the patient en route to Mater Dei Hospital.