Source: Xinhua

02-18-2009 08:47

Special Report:   Harbin 24th Winter Universiade

YABULI, Northeast China, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- A helicopter is on standby at the gate of the Yabuli Ski Resort to provide instant transportation to big hospitals in Harbin in case of emergency or serious injuries during the 24th Winter Universiade.

A helicopter is ready to takes off from the parking apron of Yabuli Ski Resort, 195km southeast away from Harbin City, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb 17, 2009. The 24th World Winter Universiade will start on Feb. 18 in Harbin. Sports including Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Ski Jumping, Nordic Combined, and Freestyle Skiing will be competed at the Yabuli Ski Resort from Feb. 20. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)
A helicopter is ready to takes off from the parking apron of 
Yabuli Ski Resort, 195km southeast away from Harbin City, capital
of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb 17, 2009. The
24th World Winter Universiade will start on Feb. 18 in Harbin. 
Sports including Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Ski 
Jumping, Nordic Combined, and Freestyle Skiing will be competed
at the Yabuli Ski Resort from Feb. 20. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

"In case of emergency, the injured could be transferred to Harbin in 40 minutes," said Li Feng, deputy mayor of the Yabuli Universiade Village. "The helicopter arrived on Sunday and we have already had some tests."

Five of the seven ski sports, namely Alpine, Freestyle, Ski jumping, Cross-country and Nordic combined, will be held in Yabuli, China's most famous ski resort which is nearly 200 kilometers away from the host city of the upcoming Winter University Games Harbin.

"Some ski sports are very dangerous and we have carefully set up a medical plan for Yabuli," Li added. "Efficient medical service is available in every venue and the helicopter is introduced for emergency needs."

Three staff and journalists were injured in cable car accidents at the Yabuli K90 ski jumping venue on January 23 during last year's 11th Chinese National Winter Games. The most seriously injured one, who broke her shin, was transferred to Harbin by car to receive surgery later that day.

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