MOTORBIKE RIDER AIRLIFTED TO TOWNSVILLE WITH HEAD INJURY
May 16, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RACQ CQ Rescue flew more than 1200km on two five-hours missions to transport a motorbike rider to Townsville hospital with a serious head injury.
The Mackay-based rescue helicopter was tasked about 6pm yesterday that a 20-year-old station hand on a cattle property about 300km south-west of Mackay had fallen from a motorcycle at about 40km/hr near a feed lot. The man, believed to be from Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, wasn’t wearing a helmet and hit his head in the fall.
Upon arrival at the property after 7pm and determining there was far too much dust to safely land in the dark, it was decided the ambulance would transport the patient to Clermont Airport to hand over to helicopter crew, doctor and Critical Care Paramedic at 8pm.
The injured man had suffered a dislocated shoulder and head injury in the fall and was transported on board the aircraft to Mackay Base Hospital in a stable condition arriving about 10.30pm. The total mission time was five hours.
About 3.45am today, RACQ CQ Rescue was tasked again to transport the same patient to Townsville for neurological treatment as scans had revealed the extent of his head injury. He arrived at the Townsville hospital in a stable condition just after 6am and was expected to undergo surgery.
RACQ CQ Rescue air crewman Russell James said it a was a timely reminder about the importance of safety equipment, in particular, wearing helmets.
“Helmets save lives and can prevent serious injury – whether it’s on the road, in the bush or on the beach, you should always wear head protection when riding motorbikes, whatever speed you’re doing,” he said.
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