Pedro to the Rescue

Pedro to the rescue
The word around the village today is of a young man being flown off the island for a medical emergency – at 2 am. First of all the young man is fine. Turned out not as bad as feared and he is home doing fine. His parents are trying to catch up on lost sleep – and are very thankful for the Ocracoke Emergency folks and for the medical helicopter.

Ocracoke has had a small airport for a long time. Not too long ago a helicopter pad was added to help with just such events that happened to this young man. Used to be an ambulance would take folks on the Hatteras ferry for medical care – which could take many hours. If conditions were favorable, a helicopter might be able to fly someone out, but it wasn’t always possible. East Care, and Nightingale has saved many an islander as well as a tourist in the past.

If they are not available there is nothing like calling in the Marines! Marine Helicopter Pedro and of course our US Coast Guard are always there in case of an emergency if other services are not available. A huge hoorah for our military!

Hope you never have to use the emergency services on Ocracoke, but it is also reassuring to know that there is a fine team ready and available living here on the Island. The Ocracoke EMS, Ocracoke Health Center and the Volunteer Fire Department all do a fantastic, above and beyond the call of duty. A huge thank you to all of you and if any are forgotten, let’s excuse it with the fact I’m up in my spirit years!