Fisherman casualty evacuated

At 14h00 on Tuesday the 07th of May St Francis Bay volunteers were called out to assist the crayfish fishing trawler HELENA MARIE which had a fisherman on-board who was injured by heavy equipment off St Francis Bay.Marc May, NSRI St Francis Bay station commander, said:'The vessel informed us that they were motoring towards St Francis Bay from deep-sea fishing grounds.'Our duty crew launched EIKOS RESCUER and rendezvoused with the 33 meter vessel off Shark Point near St Francis Bay.'On arrival on-scene the fisherman, about 35 years old, from Aston Bay was treated for a suspected right arm humerus fracture, facial injuries and suspected fractured ribs sustained when a steel bar weighing approximately 1 ton smashed into him during trawling. A safety helmet had reportedly saved him from more serious injuries although he had been rendered unconscious.'Once stabilized the patient was transferred onto our sea rescue craft and brought to our sea rescue base and he has been transported to hospital by ambulance in a stable but serious condition for further treatment.'