DRIVERS URGED TO TAKE THE PLEDGE ON FATALITY FREE FRIDAY
May 27, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DRIVERS URGED TO TAKE THE PLEDGE ON FATALITY FREE FRIDAY
Peter Stowers and Lona Kaifoto both know the devastating consequences of road trauma.
The two Central Queensland men are both incredibly lucky to be alive after separate horrific road accidents last year which changed their lives forever.
Today is Fatality Free Friday, Australia’s largest national community-based road safety program and RACQ CQ Rescue is encouraging regional motorists to live the road safety pledge.
The Mackay-based rescue helicopter service has responded to double the number of incidents where people have been seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents this year as compared to the same timeframe in 2020. Sadly, a staggering 16 people have already died on regional roads.
Without the lifesaving care of the region’s rescue helicopter, Peter Stowers probably wouldn’t have survived a horror crash which saw him lose an arm. The Sarina Beach local, 22, was critically injured when the ute he was driving collided with a semi-trailer on the Peak Downs Highway at Coppabella about 8am on April 27 last year. He was the sole occupant of the vehicle and to be cut from the wreckage and was flown by RACQ CQ Rescue to Mackay Base Hospital. He had finished work near Moranbah and was headed for home that morning. Tragically, his arm was amputated in the accident.
Former Townsville Blackhawk, Burdekin Rooster, Mackay Cutters and Whitsunday Brahman footy player Lona Kaifoto was driving home to Bowen, having dropped his family off at Townsville Airport to fly back to New Zealand. The plumber’s car collided with a semi-trailer about 7.30am and came to rest in a dry creek bed. He was initially taken to Bowen Hospital by ambulance and then flown by RACQ CQ Rescue to Townsville University Hospital. Lona’s injuries were life threatening – he had a fractured skull, broken ulnar, radius and humerus as well as serious internal bleeding. He was also placed in an induced coma. The former rugby league forward was in a state of amnesia for more than 30 days and will never play football again.
Both of these incredible stories of survival and road trauma feature in the 2022 RACQ CQ Rescue Community Report available here https://www.cqrescue.org.au/community-reports
More than 20 people have been airlifted by RACQ CQ Rescue with injuries sustained in accidents involving cars, trucks and motorbikes, RACQ CQ Rescue Media and Communication Manager Naomi Noy said.
Sadly, 16 people have already died on regional roads this year. The alarming increase in deaths and serious injury on the region’s had a very significant impact on those involved, their families, friends and the community as a whole, she said.
“The high instances of death and trauma on our roads this year is absolutely devastating so today we want people to think about how they can be the change we all want to see on the roads.
“Take personal responsibility for road safety to help reduce the likelihood of you, your loved ones or another innocent person being killed or maimed in a road accident and suffering lifelong trauma,” she said.
Today, live the road safety pledge by promising to:
1. Always be fit to drive
2. Stay focused on the road
3. Scan the road ahead
4. Keep a safe distance
5. Drive to suit the conditions
“Our rescue helicopter crew really don’t want to meet you by accident,” Ms Noy said.
RACQ CQ Rescue is a community-funded rescue helicopter service based in Mackay which completed 704 missions in 2021, servicing an area four times the size of Tasmania. The rescue helicopter is available to anyone, anywhere, any time across Central Queensland at no cost.
The 2022 RACQ CQ Rescue Annual Appeal kicks off next week. Donations can be made by visiting www.cqrescue.org.au/donate
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Peter Stowers was critically injured in a horror smash on the Peak Downs Highway in April last year.
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