Crossing the World: Building Bridges from the Alps’ Ski Slopes to Home
At Aeromedical and Marine, we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, ready to move instantly’s notice across borders, time zones, and continents. This recent mission reflects perfectly both the logistical precision and the human side of what we do.
Our nonmedical escort, Robert Fortea, was deployed following a skiing accident in the French Alps, where the traveller sustained a right lateral tibial plateau fracture after a fall on the slopes. The injury required surgical fixation with plate and screws, leaving the patient with significant postoperative discomfort and severely restricted mobility, making assisted repatriation essential.
The mission began in Geneva, followed by ground transportation to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. Arrival at the hospital in the early hours of the morning brought an unexpected challenge. The main doors were closed, and there was not a single person in sight. Instead of hospital corridors, we found ourselves navigating the vast exterior grounds of the complex, walking through the cold night air with strong wind sweeping across the open space. It was freezing, silent, and disorienting. After circling the large facility and coordinating with the Aeromedical Case Management team ground control in Barcelona, we finally managed to gain access and locate our patient. Persistence and calm problem-solving once again made the difference.
Once prepared for travel, ensuring the operated leg remained fully extended and properly protected, the journey home began. The itinerary included four flights, requiring continuous supervision, assistance with transfers, and careful positioning at every stage. Crossing the Atlantic in such circumstances is always a reminder of how extraordinary it is to move someone from one side of the world to the other in a matter of hours from snowy Alpine slopes to the Pacific coast of Canada.
The final segment was an 11-minute flight from Vancouver to Victoria, brief yet unforgettable. Even in that short time, flying over the coastline and the scattered islands surrounding Victoria is breathtaking. The contrast between the icy Alps and the serene beauty of the Pacific Northwest captured perfectly the essence of global medical transport — different worlds connected in a single journey.
Ground transportation was arranged twice during the mission:
First from Geneva to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, and later from Victoria to Metchosin, where recovery would continue at home. Throughout the entire transfer, strict postoperative precautions were maintained, and assistance was provided during every necessary movement.
There is something deeply rewarding about seeing a patient arrive home after such an ordeal. After long flights, careful coordination, and days of uncertainty, witnessing that moment, the emotion of stepping back into familiar surroundings, supported and safe, reminds us why we do what we do.
At Aeromedical and Marine, we continue to grow with every mission. Each case strengthens our global network, sharpens our operational capability, and reinforces our commitment to being available anytime, anywhere in the world.
