Ferry used to transport patient with helicopters grounded
Authorities were forced to use a 100-meter passenger ferry to transport a critical patient from Hiiumaa to the mainland for an emergency operation during the night as all emergency helicopters were grounded due to bad weather.
A man in Kärdla, the main settlement on Hiiumaa island, received a severe head injury a week ago / and was transported by the ferry to the mainland, where he was rushed to hospital in Tallinn.
The man is now back in Hiiumaa and could be released home from a hospital in a few days.
All rescue helicopters are based in Tallinn, despite calls and political promises, to station one in Saaremaa. The helicopters are equipped with necessary equipment to fly in heavy weather, but the landing pad at the Hiiumaa hospital does not have the equipment to accept helicopters during rough weather.
Rescue helicopters and aircraft were used 155 times last year to transport medical patients.
Editor: J.M. Laats