internationalsos.com - Press releases

International SOS has air-lifted five victims of the Bali bombings on a Beechcraft 1900D air ambulance to Singapore and two victims to Darwin, from Bali.

The patients were accompanied by International SOS medical teams, comprising anaesthetists, Intensive-Care-Unit trained doctors and nurses. Three air ambulances, a Beechcraft 1900D, a Lear 35 and a Lear 45 were activated and made a total of four trips to evacuate seven patients.

Within the first hour of the crisis, International SOS alarm centers in Singapore, Jakarta and Bali were activated. A team of medical doctors and nurses from the International SOS clinic in Kuta were immediately deployed to hospitals in the vicinity to render assistance to clients and victims of the blasts.

The first air ambulance, Beechcraft 1900D was despatched immediately from Singapore at 0100 hours for Bali with a medical team and a full suite of medical equipment. To respond to and treat patients effectively, the Beechcraft 1900D is fitted with a full range of mobile intensive care equipment to allow International SOS’ medical team to render appropriate medical services to patients, including those with critical injuries or acute illnesses throughout the air-lift.

In addition, International SOS’ Regional Security Director was also deployed to Bali to support the rescue efforts by providing security advisory and assistance services.

International SOS was also involved in rescue and evacuation efforts during the Bali bombing in 2002. Forty-three patients were treated in the International SOS Kuta clinic, while a team of seven emergency physicians and eight ICU nurses evacuated 16 patients to Singapore on a Hercules C130 and several air ambulances.

International SOS has global operations in over 60 countries, spanning five continents. The company provides clients with a comprehensive portfolio of medical and security services to ensure that people travelling and working internationally have access to immediate help. International SOS' services range from 24-hour medical advice, referrals to qualified doctors and hospitals as well as provision of emergency medical and security evacuations when there is a critical illness, accident or civil unrest. Last year, the company handled over 370,000 assistance cases, including more than 10,000 medical evacuations.