WA: US sailors evacuated from warship off WA coast

AAP General News (Australia)
04-18-2004
WA: US sailors evacuated from warship off WA coast

PERTH, April 18 AAP - Two United States sailors, one suffering from pneumonia and one
with a broken arm, have been evacuated from a warship off the far north coast of Western
Australia.

A Defence Department spokesman said the two sailors, believed to be aged in their 20s,
were yesterday lifted from the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk near Exmouth, 1200km north
of Perth.

The male sailors were flown in a navy aircraft to Pearce Airbase and were then taken
by ambulance to Royal Perth Hospital, where the man suffering from pneumonia is now in
intensive care.

A Royal Perth Hospital spokesman said he was in a serious but stable condition.

"He is in intensive care in a serious but stable condition, but he is improving and
the outlook at this time is good," the spokesman said.

"However, he could still be in the intensive care unit for the next week or so but
at this time, that is the prognosis."

The spokesman said the other sailor was in an orthopaedic ward and was receiving medical
attention for his broken arm.

It is not known how long he will remain in hospital.

The spokesman said other details about the men's conditions such as when the man contracted
pneumonia and how his fellow crew mate broke his arm, were not known.

AAP ajm/cmc/jlw

KEYWORD: SAILORS

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