Boater's misadventure has a good ending

A 32-year-old man who was enjoying a boat trip with a friend yesterday ended up being airlifted to hospital by the armed forces after he experienced excruciating stomach pains.

Charlot Magro, of Marsascala, was with a friend aboard a 16-foot boat off Wied iż-Żurrieq when he felt an unbearable pain in his stomach that moved up through his chest and numbed his lips, an army spokesman said.

The two boaters sent a distress call that was relayed to the AFM's rescue centre in Luqa at about 3 p.m. A rescue launch and a helicopter were immediately dispatched to Mr Magro's assistance.

Once they reached Wied ix-Xaqqa, an air wing rescue-swimmer was dropped into the water to help transfer Mr Magro onto the launch from where he was winch-hoisted onboard the helicopter and taken to Mater Dei Hospital for treatment.

In a comment posted on timesofmalta.com, Mr Magro's wife, Hilga, thanked the army and hospital staff for their help. "You were all vital for saving my husband's life. Thanks to you these misadventures are turned to good endings," she said.