Sanction hit chopper saves US seaman

What an irony!!!

http://www.the-hindu.com/stories/0228000a.htm

Navy rescues ailing U.S. seaman

MUMBAI, DEC. 27. An Indian Navy’s Seaking helicopter evacuated an ailing United States Naval Officer from on-board a warship some 100 nautical miles off the western coast.Lieutenant James Humphrey, suffering from acute appendicitis, was brought at the Indian Naval Air Station Kunjali and was rushed to the Breach Candy Hospital here. “We have done this on an humanitarian basis,” said Commodore Subodh Purohit, Commanding Officer of INAS Kunjali.The Naval authorities here received a SOS message this morning for urgent assistance to evacuate the ailing seaman and immediately within minutes a ship, the Seaking chopper, which has been hit by U.S. sanctions, flew off.

The chopper managed to land on-board the warship USS Hewitt, a Spruance-class destroyer some 100 nautical miles from the western coast. Immediately, the patient was shifted to Breach Candy hospital.

The Seaking 42 Charlie commando helicopter was commanded by Capt. M. Ramachandra. A medical team was also on board the chopper.

The Naval Seaking helicopter have on several occasions being called upon to render urgent medical assistance. This has resulted in evacuation of many patients in critical condition and in saving lives of many mariners and fishermen in distress at sea.

– UNI