In two days RACQ CareFlight performed 11 missions during what was a demanding weekend in the lead up to the school holidays.
Downtime at the hangars for crew was minimal, with patients were being dropped off at major city hospitals and the choppers re-tasked straight from the helipads.
RACQ CareFlight’s Bell 230 was tasked on Saturday morning 20 Km south of Ipswich to treat a 52 yr old male who had been thrown from his horse and trampled.
“The man had severe facial injuries to his left side. Due to mouth lacerations he was finding it hard to breathe so we intubated him before the flight to Princess Alexandra Hospital,” said RACQ CareFlight Doctor Pete Armstrong.
Later that evening the same aircraft flew to Bundaberg Hospital for a 62 yr old male suffering from badly infected kidneys. He was taken back to Brisbane for specialist treatment before the crew was sent to Noosa to airlift another 62 yr old male suffering from head injuries after falling down a flight of stairs.
Sunday was just as hectic for the organisation’s newest fleet addition, tasked to Russell Island where a 14yr old male had suffered serious burns to his lower forearms, torso and legs. After transporting him to the Royal Brisbane Hospital the crew was sent straight to a multi vehicle accident at Redbank Plains.
The other two helicopters combined performed a further six jobs taking the total number of RACQ CareFlight missions for the weekend to 11.
Chief Pilot Dave Bashir said it was extremely busy especially for the organisation’s tasking officer co-ordinating all three machines.
“This is what our charitable service is all about though, being there for the community 24/7,” said Chief Pilot Dave Bashir.
ENDS.
Media Contact Renee Buckingham 0421 381 023