Amazon CEO airlifted from cruise for kidney stones

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

Capt. Santiago Rubio, commander of the port of Santa Cruz in the Galapagos, told the Associated Press that Bezos was on a ship not far from the island when he felt the pains in his stomach area.

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

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 treatment.

Amazon spokesman Drew Herdener said in a statement Saturday that no surgery was required, and Bezos is feeling well.

He said Bezos sent an email saying, “Galapagos: five stars. Kidney stones: zero stars.”