Coast Guard Rescue 3 People Isle Royale

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TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN -  August 8, 2018  (LSN)  A helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City, Michigan conducted a medevac from Isle Royale in Lake Superior, Tuesday.

There is no Coast Guard imagery at this time and the names of the three individuals are not being released.

Watchstanders in the Coast Guard District Nine Command Center were contacted by a Park Ranger on Isle Royal shortly after 9 p.m. local time, Monday, about an 18 year-old woman experiencing severe dehydration and slipping in and out of consciousness. The woman was part of a 3-person hiking party who set out on Monday morning. They were in one of the roughest and most remote parts of the island when they contacted park rangers using a hand-held satellite communicator capable of transmitting an emergency signal along with their location.

After briefing a Coast Guard flight surgeon, a medevac was recommended. A rescue crew from Air Station Traverse City launched aboard an MH-60 helicopter at about 10:15 p.m. local time and arrived on scene over the island shortly after 12 a.m. Tuesday.

A rescue swimmer was lowered to an area about 500 yards from where the three persons were located. After assessing the situation, it was determined that the other two persons also appeared to be dehydrated. All three persons were hoisted off the island and transported to Duluth International Airport to waiting EMS.

"This is a great example why a device capable of calling or signaling for help, other than a cell phone, should be part of everyone's equipment when venturing out to remote areas, whether on the water or on land," said Cmdr. Robert Donnell, operations officer at Air Station Traverse City. "These individuals made a wise choice with their equipment and were well-prepared to call for help

-USCG-