DOCTORS BASED AT Medico Cork made a “potentially lifesaving” call, after their assistance was sought by the captain of a ship on which a crew-member was stabbed.
A Chinese crew-member aboard the ‘Long Glory’ cargo ship was stabbed on Thursday — receiving wounds to the leg and lower back.
He received initial medical treatment on board, but, prompted by concerns that his condition might deteriorate, the captain decided to seek advice on whether he should be airlifted off before the vessel reached land. The Panama-registered bulk carrier was 860 miles south of Mizen Head at this stage, but was on a course for Irish waters.
Photos of the man’s injuries were sent to the Cork-based ‘Medico’ unit, and doctors there advised that the man be taken to hospital as soon as possible, as the stab injury to his back was close to vital organs.
“It was a very good judgement call — possibly a lifesaving call for the doctors,” an operator at the Irish Coast Guard station in Valentia told TheJournal.ie.
The man was airlifted from the vessel for hospital treatment in the Azores islands late on Thursday evening.
Based at Cork University Hospital, ‘Medico Cork’ provides medical support and information for vessels at sea — usually those in Irish waters but occasionally ships further afield.
The Long Glory was en route from South America to Iceland when the stabbing occurred. Further details surrounding the violent incident are unclear at this stage.
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