A PASSENGER who became ill on board Condor was airlifted by helicopter to a UK hospital during an emergency rescue in rough seas in the English Channel. Condor Express staff have been praised for their professionalism after the elderly man suffered suspected heart complications on a choppy journey from Guernsey to Poole.

It was an unusual rescue and only the second of its kind aboard a Condor vessel in the past five years.

Dave and Jenny Byett, who were returning to their Congresbury home in North Somerset after a family wedding in Guernsey, witnessed the drama unfold on Wednesday.

‘As soon as we left the shelter of Guernsey, it was evident very early on that it was going to be very rough and the wind was very strong.

‘The boat was pitching from side to side and back and forth and a lot of people started being ill,’ said Mr Byett yesterday.

It was particularly rough off Alderney and glasses and plates on board were thrown about.

Captain Peter Ground was praised for his actions in slowing down the vessel when necessary.

‘A good hour into the journey, the master came over the tannoy to ask for a doctor or qualified nurse.

‘We did not see much activity but about 10 minutes later, crew started moving around the vessel quickly,’ said Mr Byett.

Soon afterwards, the captain announced that there was a medical emergency on board.

After a crewmember was seen going out onto the top deck with an oxygen mask, others disappeared below to attend to the elderly casualty.

About 15 minutes later, a helicopter was heard behind the ship by passengers who were asked to clear the area at the back of the vessel.

Crew managed to escort the oxygen-masked patient upstairs, which was no mean feat, said Mr Byett.

‘A man was winched down onto the seating area of the top deck. The vessel was moving and they took him out of the wheelchair and airlifted him off.’

The captain apologised to passengers for the extra journey delay but said he hoped they understood the situation.

They were told the helicopter would get the casualty to Dorchester Hospital within 10 minutes.

‘I think the crew were tremendous, very calm, and there was no panic whatsoever,’ said Mr Byett, who praised their professionalism.

Yan Milner, Condor’s general manager in the Channel Islands, confirmed yesterday that the passenger had a pre-existing heart condition.

‘He complained to the cabin staff that he was feeling particularly poorly so they called for a medical practitioner on board to have a look at him and it was recommended to evacuate him from the ship,’ he said.

His family was contacted and met him at Dorchester Hospital.

‘The report is that he was fine and we wish him well and thank the emergency services,’ said Mr Milner.

‘Our operating crew exercise quite frequently with the emergency services, partly for their benefit and partly for ours, and everything went without a hitch.’

He said that helicopter airlifts off Condor vessels were rare.

‘In the last two years, I think we have possibly had two and this is one of them,’ he said.