The Life Saver Rescue Helicopter was called on to recover a 59-year-old male passenger who had a heart attack on the Pacific Jewel cruise liner on Saturday, five nautical miles off the coast of Lennox Head.
A helicopter paramedic and doctor were winched onto the ship to assist the cruise liner medical staff to stabilise the patient for a sukbsequent winch recovery.
The patient was flown to the Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition for further treatment.
Shark attack
Earlier in the day the chopper was called to Evans Head after a fisherman had a close call with a shark.
The 73-year-old fisherman suffered superficial wounds to the right arm after a Great White shark launched itself into his fishing boat.
Terry Selwood told ABC radio the bizarre incident occurred while he was fishing in his ‘usual spot’ on Saturday afternoon.
The 2.7 metre shark jumped out of the water and right into his boat, knocking over Mr Selwood in the process and grazing his arm with its fin.
Mr Selwood, who was able to jump clear of the shark said his main concern was blood loss from the injury, as he is on blood thinning medication.
The injured fisherman was transported by road to Lismore Base Hospital for further treatment.
On Sunday the heli-ambulance was called to help with a road accident at Uki but ultimately its services were not required.
