French tourist rescued after falling ill in Zingaro Reserve

Last Updated: June 20, 2024

Soccorsa una turista francese colta da malore nella riserva dello Zingaro

Joint operation by the Sicilian Alpine and Speleological Rescue and the 82nd Csar of the Italian Air Force in the Zingaro Nature Reserve to rescue a French hiker who fell ill while hiking along the coastal trail. The 39-year-old woman from the Loire region in France fainted near the manna museum and collapsed unconscious before regaining consciousness and experiencing panic attacks.

Another hiker raised the alarm by calling the emergency number 112. The 118 emergency center, recognizing the difficult terrain, alerted the Alpine rescue teams who departed from Palermo. They reached the French tourist on foot from the southern entrance of the reserve (near Scopello). Due to her worrying condition and the complex operation required to transport her via land, given the distance from both entrances of the reserve, the Italian Air Force was called in for assistance.

An AW139 helicopter from the 82nd Csar center took off from Trapani Birgi airport and lowered a technician from the Sass team to the woman just a few meters away. After placing her on a stretcher, she was lifted on board and transported to Palermo’s Boccadifalco airport, where she was then transferred to a hospital by ambulance. However, due to her deteriorating condition, it was decided to land at the nearby Castellamare del Golfo soccer field, where a 118 medical ambulance with an anesthesiologist awaited her.