American Tourist Airlifted From Cruise Ship in 'Marathon Task'

Rescuers completed a five-hour operation in the early hours of November 17, after an American tourist aboard the Royal Carribbean ship Voyager of the Seas took ill and was medevaced to Mackay Base Hospital.The CQ Rescue helicopter landed on the cruise ship at about 5.30am, after leaving its base at about 3am, according to Cruise Mapper. The ship was 200km offshore and due to arrive at Airlie Beach that morning.The 72-year-old Michigan woman had been suffering severe abdominal pain. Credit: CQ Rescue via Storyful