Coast Guard airlifts diver near Wilmington’s coast Sunday

WILMINGTON, NC — Coast Guard crews medevaced a diver off the North Carolina coast earlier Sunday.

Coast Guard crews in Wilmington received a report from crew members aboard the 25-foot diving boat Under Pressure that one diver had surfaced with shortness of breath and dizziness 35 miles south by southeast of Wilmington.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew diverted to assist and arrived on scene. The diver was medevaced to Air Station Elizabeth City where awaiting EMS personnel transferred him to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia.

“With our helicopter crews close by, they were able to quickly respond and get this diver the medical aid he needed, Petty Officer 1st Class Jared F. Stanton said. “When diving, we urge mariners to check their equipment is working properly and to ensure they have a means of contacting help.”