(AP) -- A Coast Guard helicopter has taken an ailing infant and her mother off a cruise ship in nasty weather south of Cape Lookout.
The Coast Guard said the evacuation occurred Friday morning after a call came from the cruise ship Norwegian Gem.
A 16-month-old infant was suffering from respiratory problems. A helicopter crew was sent from Elizabeth City to bring the baby and her mother to New Hanover Regional Hospital in Wilmington.
Lt. Cmdr. Todd Bloch was the commanding pilot of the mission. He says there were high winds, heavy rain and snow around the ship, which was about 245 miles south of Cape Lookout.
The infant was brought safely to the hospital and is recovering.
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