(Tribune News Service) — Cruise ship passengers watched as a Coast Guard helicopter dipped dangerously close to the ocean in a harrowing rescue, a video showed.

A Carnival Dream cruise ship called the U.S. Coast Guard for help when a 76-year-old passenger showed signs of a heart attack around 4:30 a.m. April 29, according to an April 30 news release.

Cruise staff requested a medevac, and a Jayhawk helicopter started the 300-mile flight out to the ship off the Alabama coast.

As it flew, extreme weather rolled in, and soon rescuers were battling heavy rain and strong wind.

In a video shared on Twitter, the helicopter is visibly fighting the wind, jerking around above the ship as passengers stand on their balconies to get a better look.

“The Jayhawk aircrew arrived on scene and lowered their rescue swimmer. While hoisting a cruise ship nurse, a severe squall caused the aircrew to back off from the ship,” the Coast Guard said in the release. “The helicopter then encountered a severe downwind, prompting the aircrew to recover the aircraft close to the water’s surface.”

In another video shared on TikTok, the helicopter is seen having difficulty staying in the air, and in a terrifying moment the aircraft is pushed down toward the waves.

“Through exceptional real-time risk management, crew resource management, and superb piloting, the aircrew was able to safely recover the aircraft and land at the air station without further incident,” commanding officer of Air Station New Orleans, Keith Blair, said in the release.

The Coast Guard said a second helicopter was sent back to the ship later and was able to hoist the 76-year-old passenger into the aircraft. He was transferred to a New Orleans hospital after landing and was in stable condition, according to the release.

©2023 The Charlotte Observer.

Visit charlotteobserver.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.