TWO people were airlifted to hospital following a chemical spillage on a Belgian fishing vessel.
Thames Coastguard received the call at 12.30pm yesterday from the Mare Nostrum reporting that they had a casualty on board who needed to be taken to hospital.
Communication with the vessel was difficult because of the language barrier.
Thames Coastguard was able to link the vessel to the Belgian Coastguard authorities who were able to gain full details of the casualty.
The Rescue Helicopter R125 from RAF Wattisham was tasked to the vessel which was 22 nautical miles east of Orfordness.
One casualty was suffering from breathing difficulties resulting from a chemical spillage. A second person was also taken ill so both casualties were airlifted to Ipswich Hospital. Felixstowe Coastguards prepared a landing site at Ipswich Hospital and assisted the casualties.
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