Fisherman, 70, dies after rescue

Chev Chris Galea

Aug 20th 2009, 16:04

I am so sorry to hear of this gentleman's death and wish to offer my condolences to his relatives and friends.

Such rescues underline the need of more investment in SAR helicopters.
From other sources, I heard that a rescue lifeboat was the first to arrive on the scene and he was transferred from the fishing boat on to the rescue lifeboat. It was time after, that the Alouette 3 of the AFM arrived and winched the strether case from the lifeboat. The victim was already dead on being loaded on an ambulance at Mater Dei. Too much hassle and too stressful for the poor victim and too many procedures, I' m afraid ! Did the AFM helicopter have a doctor or a proper EMT paramedic on board ? (not just a basic first aid responder, I mean).

At the Royal London Hospital and other modern hospitals, casualties are wheeled straight from the helicopter on the roof of the hospital or just a few metres away from the A&E Department and not summoning an ambulance to drive the casualty uphill.

We boast State of the Art....but we never learn !