NYPD rescues 80-year-old passenger from cruise ship

NEW YORK (WABC) -- The NYPD Aviation Unit came to the rescue of a passenger on board the cruise ship the "Anthem of the Seas".

On Friday afternoon the unit was alerted to an 80-year-old man who suffered a cardiac episode on the ship in the Ambrose Channel.

The cruise ship changed its course and headed towards the Coney Island area.

The unit's Quick Reaction Force (QRF) aircraft, with 4 team members aboard, responded to the Coney Island area where they lowered an Emergency Services Unit Tactical Medic onto the vessel.

They secured the man and hoisted him into the aircraft and removed him to Staten Island Medical Center where is in serious condition.

The cruise ship resumed its planned course.