Coast Guard rescues injured crew member of oil tanker off the coast of San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) - A crewmember of an oil tanker was rescued early Tuesday morning after suffering a serious injury off the coast of San Francisco a day earlier, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

The crew of the tanker High Progress sent an email to the Coast Guard at about 2:20 p.m. Monday about a member who fell and suffered a neck injury.

WATCH: Coast Guard rescue of oil tanker worker

 The Coast Guard was unable to respond immediately because of aircraft limitations, but the agency monitored the man's condition, which was stable, as the tanker headed toward San Francisco, Coast Guard officials said.

 Finally, a helicopter rescue crew arrived at about 4:20 a.m. Tuesday and lifted the man aboard. He was reported to still be in stable condition and was flown to Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto.

 "The quick reaction of the crew aboard High Progress to recognizing the severity of the injury was key in making this rescue successful," said Coast Guard Lt. Andrew Bacon in a statement.