Coast Guard Rescues Woman in Elizabeth River near Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel

Monday, May 5, 2014

PORTSMOUTH, Virginia — The Coast Guard rescued a 58-year-old woman Monday from the Elizabeth River near the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel.

Virginia State Police dispatchers contacted Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads Command Center watchstanders at 11:20 p.m. Sunday, reporting a woman in the water.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina was diverted and a 25-foot Response Boat - Small crew from Coast Guard Station Portsmouth launched to assist.

The helicopter crew spotted the woman at approximately 12:05 a.m., Monday, and guided the small boat to her location. 

At 12:10 a.m. the woman was pulled from the water by the small boat crew and taken to Willoughby boat ramp in Norfolk where she was transferred to an awaiting ambulance crew and taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

The woman was reported to be hypothermic but in good condition.

Also involved in the search was Norfolk Fire Boat 4.

U. S. Coast Guard