3-year-old patient airlifted off NC coast

ELIZABETH CITY — The Coast Guard has airlifted a 3-year-old boy with appendicitis from a cruise ship off North Carolina to a hospital.

The Coast Guard said a doctor on the ship Carnival Miracle asked for the airlift Tuesday evening and a helicopter reached the ship early Wednesday off Wilmington.

The boy was taken to New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington by the Elizabeth City-based helicopter. The trip was delayed because the first chopper that was sent, showed signs of engine trouble.

A hospital spokeswoman said she couldn’t release any information about the boy’s condition.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)