In an extraordinary international rescue mission spanning thousands of miles and multiple countries, Hatzolah Air successfully airlifted a critically injured Israeli Soldier from Panama to Israel following a devastating motor vehicle accident involving several young Israelis traveling after their army service.

As YWN had previously reported, the horrific crash, which occurred last week in Panama, left one young Israeli dead, several others injured, and one victim fighting for his life on a ventilator in critical condition.

As the patient’s condition rapidly deteriorated in Panama, urgent appeals were made for an immediate transfer to Israel for advanced medical treatment. Hatzolah Air was contacted by Panama Hatzolah and additional officials to coordinate the highly complex emergency evacuation.

Given the enormous logistical and medical challenges involved, Hatzolah Air deployed two separate specialized critical-care flight teams — each consisting of a physician, respiratory therapist, and paramedic — to carry out the mission.

The first aircraft flew to Panama, where the crew coordinated closely with local Hatzolah volunteers and medical personnel before transporting the patient Friday night to Islip Airport in New York.

In a dramatic wing-to-wing transfer on the tarmac, a second medical team boarded the patient onto a Hatzolah Air Gulfstream G550 specially equipped for long-range intensive airborne care and immediately departed for Israel.

The life-saving mission required extraordinary international coordination and special governmental approvals. Critical assistance was provided by the office of Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev, the office of U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, IMA, The Falic Family, FIDF, the FAA and others.

The aircraft landed at Ben Gurion Airport Sunday evening, where the patient was rushed directly to Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer for additional emergency life-saving surgeries.

The victim remains hospitalized in serious condition as tefillos continue worldwide for his recovery.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)