WILLEMSTAD – A 61-year-old Curaçao resident died Wednesday after becoming ill while hiking near Christoffelberg, despite extensive resuscitation efforts and an emergency evacuation by a Coast Guard helicopter.
On Wednesday, August 19, the Maritime Operations Center (MOC) of the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard received a report from the Curaçao Police Force concerning a man who had become unwell during a hike in the Christoffelberg area.
Christoffel Park employees immediately went to the location to provide assistance. When the man's condition deteriorated, they began performing CPR.
At the same time, the MOC alerted a Coast Guard helicopter unit, which was dispatched to Christoffelberg to assist with the emergency.
The man was subsequently airlifted from the area and transported by helicopter to the Coast Guard base at Hato. Resuscitation efforts continued throughout the flight.
An ambulance crew was waiting when the helicopter arrived at Hato. Despite the efforts of park employees, the Coast Guard and medical personnel, the man showed no signs of life.
No further information about the circumstances that caused the man to become ill was provided.
The Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard, Curaçao Police Force, Christoffel Park and the other emergency services involved expressed their condolences to the man's family and friends and wished them strength during this difficult time.