Air Station Houston

U.S. Coast Guard

Press Release

Date: Sept. 5, 2004

Contact:  Lt. Catherine Carabine
(281) 481-0025 ext 0

COAST GUARD MEDEVACS DIVER FROM THE GULF OF MEXICO

HOUSTON - The Coast Guard medevaced an injured diver from the Gulf of Mexico 115 miles southeast of Galveston, Texas, today.

At approximately 11:25 a.m., the crew of an HH-65B Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Houston medevaced Keith Johnson, 57, from the Flower Garden recreational diver area.  Johnson had been on 100-foot dive boat Spree, when he suffered an eye injury as a result of being hit by a bungee cord.  

The crew of the Spree took Johnson to the oil rig HI-376, where the Coast Guard rescue helicopter landed to pick him up.  He was transported to awaiting medical personnel at the University of Texas Medical Center in Galveston.  Johnson was in stable condition, but unable to see out of his right eye. 

Media Note:  Video footage of Johnson being escorted out of the Coast Guard helicopter at the University of Texas Medical Center with the HH-65B Dolphin in the background is available at the front gate of Ellington Field. 

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