posted 07-22-2010 06:37 AM               

Russian cosmonaut and twice Hero of the Soviet Union Vladimir Aksyonov was evacuated from Mount Belukha in the eastern region of Kazakhstan after suffering a heart attack.

A spokesman for the Emergency Department of the East Kazakhstan (DESM) region Anastasia Weber told Interfax yesterday evening that rescuers received word of Vladimir Aksyonov's deteriorated state of health during the tourist expedition to Mount Belukha.

"According to the information provided, Aksyonov had suffered a heart attack," clarified Weber. She said that an Mi-8 helicopter was dispatched immediately with a therapist onboard.

"The patient was initially taken to the central district hospital in the village of Caton Karagai, and on Wednesday morning was brought to Ust-Kamenogorsk, where doctors delivered a preliminary diagnosis: acute tracheobronchitis, lower lobe pneumonia, coronary heart disease, chronic cardiovascular insufficiency," according to the press secretary for DESM.

According to her, at the moment, Aksyonov's condition is assessed as 'medium heavy.'