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Elderly woman fights for life after winched from cruise ship by rescue helicopter

An elderly woman is fighting for her life after a rescue helicopter winched her from a cruise ship, off the NSW coast.

The Westpac Life Saver Rescue helicopter was called to the Sea Princess early Tuesday afternoon, following reports a passenger required urgent recovery and transport.

The woman was winched from the ship, off the NSW coast near Coffs Harbour, and transported to the Gold Coast University hospital in a critical condition, a Westpac Life Saver Rescue spokesperson confirmed to Yahoo7.

A rescue helicopter has transported a Sea Princess cruise passenger off the NSW coast to hospital. Source: 7 News, stock
A rescue helicopter has transported a Sea Princess cruise passenger off the NSW coast to hospital. Source: 7 News, stock

He said the patient suffered a medical condition as a result of some form of bleeding, but the exact details of her condition was not yet clear.

The helicopter landed at the hospital shortly after 4pm.

It is believed cruise ship passengers were asked to make blood donations to assist the patient.

A Westpac Life Saver Rescue helicopter. Source: Robbie Shenton
A Westpac Life Saver Rescue helicopter. Source: Robbie Shenton