Ecuadorean Navy Airlifts Bezos After Kidney Stone Attack

Billionaire Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos had a kidney stone attack on New Year’s Day and was airlifted from the Galápagos Islands aboard an Ecuadorean navy helicopter, CNBC reports.

Capt. Santiago Rubio, commander of the port of Santa Cruz, tells The Associated Press that Bezos was near the island on the cruise when he felt the stomach pains.

Editor's Note: Pastor Uses ‘Biblical Money Code’ to Help His Father Retire

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 Bezos from the ship.

Ecuadorean media reports said Bezos, who recently bought The Washington Post, was airlifted from Academy Bay in Santa Cruz Island to Baltra Island, where his private jet was stationed, says English-language news website Galápagos Digital. He was flown to the United States for treatment,.

Amazon spokesman Drew Herdener told Business Insider by email: "I sent Jeff your note and here's what he sent back: 'Galapagos: five stars. Kidney stones: zero stars."