An AFM helicopter airlifting the stricken tourist from Għajn Tuffieħa yesterday. Photo: Mario MifsudA 65-year-old Irish tourist died after finding himself in difficulty while swimming in rough seas off Għajn Tuffieħa.
The police said the incident happened at about noon.
The tourist was taken ashore and given first aid before being hoisted on board an AFM helicopter that was redeployed there from a training exercise.
Steve Mercieca, who was at the bay, said there were about 40 people on the beach, including some who were swimming or surfing.
Others commented on social media that the area was known for undercurrents especially on windy days and the public had been warned of strong winds and rough seas.
Meanwhile, instead of flying directly to Mater Dei Hospital, the helicopter landed at the pad at St Luke’s Hospital and the man was conveyed to Mater Dei by ambulance, where he was certified dead.
The Mater Dei helicopter pad is currently out of use because of nearby construction works.
When contacted, the president of the nurses’ union, a former casualty nurse, said having the helipad at St Luke’s Hospital was not ideal, and the closer it was to the hospital’s casualty department, the better.
He added that having the helicopter land next to the casualty department would give any patient a better chance of survival as in critical situations every second counted.
Resuscitation involved a lot of people and equipment which was not all portable. Helicopters and ambulances were crammed and continuously moving. So the sooner patients got to hospital the better as nurses could give a better service in a stable room, he added.
Last month, during a meeting of Parliament’s Select Committee on Health, former health minister Geoffrey Farrugia said the Mater Dei helipad was going to become a car park while the hospital’s roof would be used as a helipad.
Questions sent yesterday to the Parliamentary Secretariat about the matter remained unanswered by the time the newspaper went to print.