Amazon founder Jeff Bezos airlifted from cruise ship for medical attention on New Year’s Day

QUITO, Ecuador – An official in the Galapagos Islands says that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos was flown by helicopter from a cruise ship on Jan. 1 for medical attention after suffering intense pain because of a kidney stone.

Capt. Santiago Rubio, commander of the port of Santa Cruz, tells The Associated Press that Bezos was on a cruise not far from the island when he felt the stomach pains.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Rubio said Saturday the navy sent doctors to examine Bezos on New Year’s Day. The doctors determined that it was a kidney stone attack and Rubio authorized a helicopter to take the Amazon founder and Washington Post owner from the ship.

The captain said Bezos was taken to Santa Cruz port and from there a short flight to Baltra island where his private jet was waiting to take him to the U.S. for medical treatment.