Fisherman evacuated by helicopter from Truong Sa to mainland

A fisherman was successfully evacuated via helicopter from Truong Sa Lon Island to the mainland for emergency medical treatment. The patient, a 52-year-old man from Gia Lai, sustained severe multi-trauma injuries on September 1 while pulling fishing nets, including a facial impact that caused him to lose consciousness.

Medical staff at the Truong Sa Lon Island clinic identified critical injuries, including a 3cm head wound, exposed meninges, skull fractures, and complex maxillofacial fractures. Following a telemedicine consultation, doctors at Military Hospital 175 determined the case was life-threatening due to risks of brain damage, respiratory failure, and progressive bleeding.

Under orders from the Ministry of National Defence, an EC-225 helicopter from Corps 18, carrying an air rescue team from Military Hospital 175, departed Tan Son Nhat Airport on the night of September 2. After landing on the island at 11:15 PM, the medical team stabilized the patient using intubation and mechanical ventilation during the flight. The helicopter landed safely at Military Hospital 175 in Ho Chi Minh City at 3:52 AM on September 3, where the patient was immediately transferred to the emergency department.