BACK-TO-BACK MISSIONS SEES RESCUERS FLY 960KM IN 10 HOURS
May 7, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RACQ CQ Rescue returned to base last night more than ten hours after departure and responding to back-to-back primary missions and one hospital transfer, flying more than 960km.
The Mackay-based rescue helicopter was the first aeromedical asset to arrive in Moranbah yesterday afternoon after a horrific gas explosion underground seriously injured five people on a mine site on Goonyella Road about 3pm.
The helicopter crew were returning from Townsville after transferring a seriously injured man in his 70s to hospital after a car accident on the Bruce Highway near Bowen when the aircraft was diverted inflight to Moranbah about 3.40pm.
The Doctor, Critical Care Paramedic and rescue crewman on board the helicopter were delivered to the Moranbah oval and transferred to the hospital by Queensland Police to assist treat and triage the five miners who sustained significant internal and external burns in the explosion.
The injured men were transported to the hospital from the mine site by ambulance.
The five men were flown to a burns unit in Brisbane last night by fixed wing aircraft, meaning RACQ CQ Rescue was able to then transfer another Moranbah hospital patient back to Mackay arriving at 10.30pm.
RACQ CQ Rescue CEO Ian Rowan said the last two days had certainly been an example of both the versatility and adaptability of the Mackay-based rescue helicopter which services an area in Central Queensland equivalent to four times the size of Tasmania.
The previous day the rescue helicopter service had airlifted an ill grazier from a remote cattle property near Mt Coolon, flying more than 500km in a four-hour mission to transfer him to Mackay Base Hospital.
“Although we were first aeromedical team to Moranbah yesterday, the injured miners actually required transport directly to Brisbane so Queensland Health’s fixed wing services were required,” Mr Rowan said.
“Although we didn’t transfer the patients from Moranbah, our flying trauma team including a doctor, paramedic and rescue crew officer were very involved in the triage, lifesaving treatment and eventual medical evacuation of these burns victims by jet.”
Mr Rowan said CQ Rescue was the region’s lifeline whatever the illness or injury.
“Whether it's a remote cattle property, a workplace incident or a motor vehicle accident, our crew and helicopter are available 24/7 across Central and North Queensland to help save lives.”
[ENDS]
CAPTION: RACQ CQ Recue flew more than 960km on back-to-back missions yesterday and was the first aeromedical service to arrive in Moranbah after a serious underground mine explosion.
Please credit any released photos and video footage to RACQ CQ Rescue.
Please note: Full title of rescue service is RACQ CQ Rescue.
For further information please contact:
Naomi Noy
RACQ CQ Rescue
Ph: 0417 578 182