Coast Guard Rescue Teams Respond to Emergency off Oak Island N.C.

Two Paramedics from Brunswick County Emergency Medical Services Assist

Download U.S.Coast Guard Rescue Video

June 24, 2007

BRUNSWICK COUNTY NC NEWS -- On Saturday at 7:40 p.m., a rescue boat from the Coast Guard Station on Oak Island, North Carolina responded to a distress call from a commercial fishing vessel. The commercial fishing vessel, the Crystal C. was located approximately 35-miles southeast of Oak Island when a crew member started experiencing difficulties breathing.

An Oak Island Coast Guard rescue boat responding to the distress, brought two paramedics from Brunswick County Emergency Medical Services to aid David Costin, 27, from Monroeville, Alabama, aboard the Crystal C.

Meanwhile, in Charleston, South Carolina, a Coast Guard helicopter aircrew from Savannah, Georgia, deployed at the Coast Guard Air Facility in Charleston, also responded to the distress call. The helicopter flew 115 miles to reach the Crystal C's position five minutes after the rescue boat arrived.

Both the fisherman, David Costin and a paramedic, Colby Ballard was hoisted from the Crystal C. to the Coast Guard helicopter. The Brunswick County paramedic accompanied Costin in flight to the New Hanover Hospital in Wilmington, North Carolina. David Costin is listed in stable condition. The cause of Costin's difficulty breathing was due to a pre-existing condition.

Commenting on the successful rescue, Petty Officer 3rd Class Andy Weckler, the helicopter flight mechanic for the rescue aircrew said,"The rescue went smoothly because of excellent teamwork between the crews of both the helicopter and the small boat."

Once again the U.S. Coast Guard responds to another emergency in the North Atlantic ocean ending in success with David Costin transported to safety with some help from Brunswick County Emergency Medical Services.

Published by:
Rob Cross
mailto:editor@357news.com

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