Office of Public Affairs

U.S. Coast Guard

Press Release

Date: Mar. 19, 2005

Contact:  Lt. David Potyok

(281) 481-0025 x 0

WOMAN WITH SEVERE BACK INJURY MEDEVACED

HOUSTON -  The Coast Guard conducted a medical evacuation of a 50-year-old woman suffering from a severe back injury approximately 65 miles southeast of Galveston, Texas.

     At 3:20 p.m., the Coast Guard received a report from the motor boat, Chico Diamond, that a 50 year-old female was suffering from a severe back injury on the 30-foot sport fishing boat, Reel Obsession.  An HH-65B Dolphin helicopter rescue crew from Coast Guard Air Station Houston, located at Ellington Field, conducted a litter hoist of the patient.  The patient, Linda Coon, of Galveston, was transferred to awaiting medical personnel at the University of Texas Medical Center in Galveston.

     The fishing boat, Reel Obsession, is homeported in Galveston.

**Digital pictures are available upon request.  No video is available.  Please contact Lt. David Potyok at (281) 481-0025 ext. 0 for pictures.**

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