WILLEMSTAD - A 61-year-old American tourist was evacuated by the Coast Guard helicopter on Thursday morning after being injured while diving off a charter boat near Klein Curaçao.

The Maritime Operations Center (MOC) received an urgent call from the charter vessel reporting that the man needed immediate medical assistance. According to reports, the tourist had jumped from the boat into the sea and sustained injuries.

The MOC consulted with a CITRO doctor, who advised that the man be transported to the hospital as quickly as possible. In response, the Coast Guard dispatched its helicopter to Klein Curaçao to carry out the emergency evacuation.

The injured tourist was flown to Hato Airport, where an ambulance was on standby to transfer him to the Curaçao Medical Center for further treatment.

The Coast Guard has extended its best wishes for the man’s recovery.