MACKAY CHOPPER CLOCKS UP 640KM TODAY ON TWO RESCUE MISSIONS
May 24, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
It was an incredibly busy day for RACQ CQ Rescue which flew more than 640km over eight hours to transport two patients to Mackay Base Hospital.
The Mackay-based rescue helicopter was tasked about 8.30am to fly nearly 300km west of Mackay to Belyando Crossing and a Carmichael Mine railway work site to transfer a 20-year-old man who was suffering serious chest pain.
The Bell 412 rescue helicopter, which had a doctor, paramedic and rescue crewman on board, arrived on scene at Belyando Crossing about 10am, landing in a clearing adjacent to the worksite. Belyando Crossing is close to the very western boundary of the rescue helicopter’s service area.
The man, believed to be from Mt Tamborine, was loaded into the helicopter which was flown to Moranbah hospital to refuel, before transporting him to Mackay Base Hospital in a stable condition arriving at 12.15pm. The task took almost five hours and saw the chopper fly more than 512km to transfer the patient to hospital.
About 1.40pm, RACQ CQ Rescue was tasked to another primary mission, this time at Cape Palmerston, about 85km south of Mackay.
A 21-year-old man from Carmila had been riding his dirt bike along the beach when he fell off and suffered multiple injuries to his body, including his back.
The helicopter flew direct to the scene within 30 minutes and landed on the beach nearby with a doctor, paramedic and rescue crewman on board to treat and prepare to transfer the patient.
He arrived at Mackay Base Hospital in a stable condition about 3.30pm.
It was a very busy day for the RACQ CQ Rescue clocking up about 640km and almost 8 hours on task.
RACQ CQ Rescue CEO Ian Rowan said CQ Rescue was the region’s lifeline 24/7, 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]
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