Coast Guard transports Island preemie to Boston hospital

A helicopter from Air Station Cape Cod picked up the premature infant at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital early Saturday morning.

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Martha's Vineyard Hospital was named one of the top 20 of critical care access hospitals in the country.

Coast Guard rescue crews from Air Station Cape Codtransported a 34-week premature infant from Martha’s Vineyard Hospital to Tufts Medical Center, early Saturday morning.

Watchstanders at the 1st Coast Guard District Command Center received a request for assistance at 11:45 pm, Friday, from Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, according to a Coast Guard press release. The hospital team was requesting transport of a premature baby who was being delivered by emergency caesarean section and needed to be taken to Tufts Medical Center in Boston, the Coast Guard said.

Crews from Air Station Cape Cod picked up an awaiting neonatal team and incubator at Boston Logan Airport and took them to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital in a Ocean Century turboprop aircraft. Upon arrival, one Coast Guard crewmember assisted the neonatal team in assessing and preparing the baby for further transport.

In most cases, MedFlight helicopters transport patients from Martha’s Vineyard to Boston area hospitals. The Coast Guard was asked to respond in order to accommodate the size of the neonatal medical equipment.

The air crew safely delivered Gabrielle Nevena Wray, 5 pounds, 4 ounces at birth, to awaiting EMS at Logan Airport for further transport to Tufts Medical Center at 6:20 am, Saturday where advanced care was available. The mother, Kedra Wray of Edgartown, remained at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.

“This was a unique case,” Patrick Petrarca, the command duty officer at the 1st District Command Center, said. “Our people and our training helped us deliver baby Gabrielle and that’s a great feeling. We wish them all the best.”

In a telephone conversation Wednesday morning, Ricardo Wray, a carpenter, told The Times he drove his new daughter back from Boston on Tuesday. “She is doing well,” he said. “She is strong and is eating well.”