WILMINGTON, N.C. — The Coast Guard medevaced a 77-year-old woman Monday from a cruise ship approximately 200 miles east of Wilmington.The Coast Guard received a call from the 959-foot, Panama-flagged cruise ship Carnival Pride late Monday afternoon, reporting a female passenger suffering stroke symptoms.An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and an HC-130 Hercules aircraft crew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City launched at about 5:50 p.m.The Jayhawk crew arrived on scene at about 7:30 p.m., lowered a rescue swimmer, and hoisted the ailing woman, a family member and a medical professional to the helicopter.The Coast Guard aircrew delivered the woman to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, arriving at about 9 p.m.The woman was reported in stable condition.
"We are glad to have been able to help at a time of great need, and we hope the patient makes a complete recovery," said Lt.j.g. Kevin Riley, helicopter pilot for the case. "Assisting those in distress is a rewarding part of Coast Guard duty."