This is the moment a navy air rescue team winches a fisherman to safety after he suffered a stroke at sea.

The 55-year-old crewman needed urgent medical attention but his ship was more than 150 miles (250km) from the harbour off the coast of Argentina.

Military footage of the maritime drama shows the sick crewman strapped into a stretcher and winched carefully up to the navy ‘copter.

The country’s naval chiefs – Argentine Naval Prefecture – explained: ” A crew member of a fishing vessel who suffered symptoms compatible with a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and needed urgent medical attention.”

They added: “The emergency situation began when the captain of the Arbumasa XV fishing vessel, flying the Argentine flag, contacted the Comodoro Rivadavia Maritime Traffic Management Centre by radio to report that a crew member, who was on medication for diabetes, was suffering from dizziness and numbness in his right arm and leg.

“After follow-up consultations with a Navy doctor by radio, the immediate air evacuation of the 55-year-old man, who was suffering from a possible stroke in progress, was organised.”

The statement went on: “A Navy plane was immediately dispatched and the crew members were the first to arrive at the scene to assess the situation while waiting for the rescue helicopter to arrive.

“Meanwhile, the helicopter departed with the doctor and rescue divers on board.

“On the ship, personnel lowered a stretcher to the deck and airlifted the crew member on board before providing first aid.

“At the same time, personnel coordinated the arrival of the air ambulance at the airport in Trelew City.”

The Argentine Navy added: “Once on land, the man was transferred to a hospital for better care.”