RIDING CHAMPION CHEATS DEATH AFTER TERRIFYING ROAD RACE
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AUTUMN 2012
Riding champion cheats death
after terrifying road race Just six months after his accident and
miraculously, Brenton is not only alive to
tell his tale, but coming back into winning
form.
“My health now is fantastic, I am the
leanest I’ve been in two years and most
of the pain from my injuries is completely
gone.”
“Training is going great and I have even
raced a few local races where I was right
up in the pointy end of the field. I’ve also
started my Personal Training Course which
will be fully completed soon,” he said.
From the moment he learned to walk, “My mate told me after that I flew at 60km
Brenton Jones loved riding bikes. an hour like Superman,” he said. “But I But Brenton is very much aware how close
can’t remember a thing.” he came to death.
And at just 19 years of age, Brenton had
achieved so much in his sport including “Just minutes after my accident, CareFlight “The CareFlight service is so important, it
selection in the Australian U19 National were dispatched to help me. I was literally saved my life,” he said.
Mountain Bike Team, representing Australia apparently intubated and treated at the “It’s such a fantastic service
at the 2009 Junior World Championships scene by CareFlight paramedics.”
and competing in two World Cup races in and obviously I’m proof of how
“I was in hospital for a full week but can important CareFlight is to the
Germany and Belgium.
only remember a handful of events from
But in June 2011, the talented teenager community. I can’t thank them
that week, everything was very vague.”
very nearly lost his life competing in a enough.”
After spending a week in the PA Hospital,
National Road Series Event in Toowoomba.
Brenton was flown back home to
If not for the swift intervention of Melbourne to undergo occupational therapy
CareFlight’s medical team, Brenton’s to regain his memory and balance.
dreams of sporting success could have
“I had residual pain from my shoulder
been cut tragically short.
and neck injuries which were bruised
“It was an overcast day with a little bit of but not broken thankfully. It was about
rain. Mum was there watching me head four or five weeks until I started to ‘wake
off from the start,” Brenton recalls. “I can up’ in a way or until I could recall things
remember the first 15 kilometres… but from the previous day and get my normal
after that... I can’t remember a thing.” personality back.”
The next thing Brenton knew, he was “I couldn’t drive, work or exercise for about
waking up in the intensive care unit at the two months but after about ten weeks I
Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane. Brento n back do
could slowly start to exercise again with a ing wh at
he loves .
He didn’t know at the time, but his bike modified program from my coach. I was so
had hit a pot-hole in the road which determined to not let my accident stop me
sent him soaring over the handle bars. from doing what I loved.”
He suffered a massive head injury, severe “After my accident, I still have the same
lacerations to his body and had no goals and dreams as before but it’s just
recollection of the frightening and life- that I’ve hit a bit of a bump in the road –
threatening accident. so to speak.”
RACQ CareFlight PO Box 5078, Robina Town Centre Qld 4230 | 1800 630 014 | supporters@careflight.org.au | www.careflightrescue.org.au
John meets th
e crew at
Toowoomba..
.
fu l injuries
John’s pain
in Hospital.
Recovering
John survives gas bottle explosion ‘louder than F111’
When John Dallon offered to make his mate a gas camping cooker, he never thought the kind gesture would nearly take his life.
John now faces a lengthy battle with serious burns after the gas bottle he cut open exploded, setting him on fire.
John recalls the morning of the accident at immediately that CareFlight was needed.” Although he now has to wear a pressure
his Hendon property. suit for at least another one or two years,
“Even though I was in excruciating pain,
he knows how lucky he was to have
“I’d promised my mate I’d make him a I felt relief knowing that CareFlight was
CareFlight there that day.
gas cooker, because he admired mine last coming because it meant that I would be
time we were camping and asked me if I’d in hospital much sooner.” “I’m lucky I have a good immune system
make him one too. Since I’d made a few and a good up-and-go attitude,” he said.
“And they were there in what felt like
before I said of course.” “But if anyone asks me about my accident
minutes – although it was probably much
I just tell them to take a couple of minutes
“I made sure it was all safe and the valve longer.”
and think; in just a split second, your
was open before I cut into it. Little did I
And John was amazed that the chopper whole life could change. It could be your
know the gas bottle was from the tip and
could actually land on his property. son, daughter, brother or father in an
must have been faulty.”
accident and you would definitely want
“The chopper landed in my neighbour’s
“As I cut into it, I saw an almighty CareFlight to be there for them.”
driveway. I didn’t think it could even get
flash and heard a deafening sound that close, I thought at best it might land “I have donated to CareFlight before but
louder than an F111 engine. At in a nearby paddock.” never did I think that we would ever use it
the same time I felt this extreme at home,” he said.
“I always see the blue and yellow chopper
wave of heat rip through me as I going over our property but I just used to John was so grateful to the team who
jumped back.” think they were taking people in between saved his life that he recently visited the
hospitals, I didn’t really understand that Toowoomba Base to thank the crew on
“The gas bottle then rolled towards me and duty that day. He dropped off a carton of
they could land at your house in an
continued to chase me, burning up my legs.” beer and some soft drink to say thanks to
emergency situation.”
“I looked down and all of my clothes were Doctor Peter Miller, Paramedic Anthony
“I was conscious the whole time
on fire so I started frantically ripping them Clark, Pilot Don Fillingame and Crewman
throughout the airlift and I remember
off. I ran over to the water tank and started Bradd Shelton.
thinking that I’d be in hospital in less than
dousing myself with cold water.” “It would be such a loss if we were ever to
forty minutes, as opposed to over two and
“At that point, my wife Faye ran out to see a half hours by ambulance. That was a lose this service. My accident and rescue
what all the commotion was and saw that huge relief.” has changed my whole perspective and
I was in serious trouble so she called the we’ll be doing everything we can to keep
John was airlifted to the Royal Brisbane
Clifton ambulance station.” the choppers in the air,” he said.
Hospital where he spent seven days in ICU
“They took one look at me and knew and a further 14 days in the burns unit.
Naming rights sponsor: Our valued major sponsors
Recent Rescue Missions
Here is just a small sample of some of the different types of missions CareFlight has performed over the past
few weeks. Your donations have helped us rescue each and every one of them.
13th November 2011
The Toowoomba crew were tasked to 13th nov 2011
Crows Nest to winch a 21 year old male
who had come off his trail bike. He
suffered lower leg fractures and was taken
to Toowoomba Base Hospital in a stable
condition. The same day, the crew were
again tasked to Crows Nest, this time to
airlift a 31 year old male who had come
off his trail bike. He suffered suspected
neck and spinal injuries and was taken to
the PA Hospital in a stable condition.
27th November 2011
CareFlight were tasked to the New
England Highway just north of Wallangarra
to airlift a 53 year old female who
was involved in a three car collision.
She suffered both open and enclosed
head injuries, multi-system trauma and
27th NOV 2011.
fractured ribs. She was intubated and
airlifted to PA Hospital Brisbane in a
critical condition.
11th December 2011
The Toowoomba crew were tasked to a
property west of Kingaroy to airlift a 63
year old female who fell in her home
and hit her head on some furniture. The
patient was knocked unconscious. She
was airlifted to the PA Hospital in Brisbane
in a critical condition.
26th December 2011
CareFlight were tasked to dense bush
land on the Gold Coast to winch a man
to safety after he had been missing for 11th DEC 2011
two days. The bushwalker activated a
personal EPIRB and the crew were able to
locate the man. A paramedic was winched
down to assess and treat the patient for a
knee injury and severe dehydration before
flying him to Robina Hospital in a stable
condition.
9th January 2012
We were tasked to Proston to airlift a 17
year old boy who had been trampled by a
700kg bull. The patient suffered multiple
fractures and a head laceration. He was
transported to the Toowoomba Base
Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
CareFlight
in the
Community
CareFlight’s Roma Chopper
Attends Mock Crash
A mock “fatal” car crash scenario held at Roma State College during October will no Boonah Fire Station
doubt encourage young drivers to stay safe when they next get behind the wheel of a car. Makes Donation
The Boonah Fire Station donated
The demonstration simulated an emergency Within minutes, emergency services were $1,000 from their recent event!
services response to a serious traffic crash on-site to attend to the mock accident. The Corinne Brown was on hand to present
caused by a young drink driver. It aimed to scenario involved personnel from police, a thank you plaque to Glenn Sippel.
show the teenagers the true extent of how ambulance, fire, RACQ CareFlight and
drink driving affects the community. funeral services who all worked together
Approximately 100 Year 12 students from to cut into the car and release the trapped
Roma State College watched a variety of passengers.
emergency services – including CareFlight’s After the scenario was finished, students
Roma chopper - respond to the mock fatal were split into groups and spent time
crash. talking to emergency service personnel
The simulation started with a mock about road safety, and the effects that
these serious crashes have on family,
000 call from the crash site and the
friends, communities and the emergency
Club CareFlighters
students acted out the parts of the victims
services. Tee Off For Charity
and bystanders giving the students a The Club CareFlight and Regional
confronting insight into the true horrors of CareFlight was pleased to be involved and Investor Golf Day in December saw
preventable road accidents like this. is certain the teenagers learned a lot from hundreds of guests enjoy an afternoon
the day. lunch on the deck at Toowoomba
Golf Club and 18 Holes of golf.
Black Toyota Donates Car to CareFlight Congratulations to Brett Morgan and
Russell Edwards from Black Toyota and
Darren Murphy and Doug Watson from
Easternwell who won the fun Four Man
Ambrose event.
CareFlight Has Xmas
Wrapped Up
CareFlight hosted a Christmas
Gift Wrap station at Robina Town
Centre over the December holiday
period which raised an impressive
$15,000 for RACQ CareFlight. Over
80 volunteers gave up their time to
volunteer to wrap over 8,750 gifts and
shoppers were happy to part with a
Black Toyota recently donated a brand new Toyota Kluger for CareFlight South West. Pilot gold coin donation knowing that the
Andy Bavage, Paramedic Gavin Clarke and Doctor Renee Batson were happy to take the keys money was going towards a worthy
from Russell Edwards and Brett Morgan from Black Toyota. charity.
www.careflightrescue.org.au
CareFlight Crew Calling
Abu Dhabi Home
Save the Date!
2012 Gala Ball!
The circus is coming to town! Just a reminder
to pencil in Saturday 26th May 2012 into
your diaries because it’s the date of our 2012
Gala Ball event!
The theme is Cirqu Du CareFlight and
we want everyone to come down to the
Toowoomba Showgrounds and join in the fun.
The ball will be a glamorous affair with circus
style entertainment, sumptuous foods and
lots of raffles, auctions and fun!
Sponsorship opportunities are available now
so please contact 4633 7299 if you or your
business can help out.
CareFlight Pilot Andrew Riches has And the following night, the crew were
been hard at work in Abu Dhabi offering tasked to locate and rescue three men
specialist training to pilots in the Police whose boat had capsized five miles off the
Airwing. coast of Abu Dhabi.
Andrew and the CareFlight Abu Dhabi The crew will now spend the next few
team have been servicing the region for weeks performing night training using high-
three years. tech Night Vision Goggles. Never a dull
moment for any CareFlight crew around the
The cultural change is paying off for
world!
Andrew and his team who are having
some interesting experiences over there. The CareFlight Abu Dhabi team is a
The crew conducted a hospital transfer for social enterprise whose profits go directly
none other than a Sheik last month! They back into running the CareFlight rescue CareFlight Crews kept
took the Sheik from Ras Al Khamir to Abu community service in Queensland. busy over Christmas
Dhabi. Our crews did a lot of flying over the
Christmas break going to the aid of sick and
injured patients right throughout South East
Queensland. As more people were out and
about enjoying the summer sunshine, 14
people required urgent medical treatment.
On Christmas eve, the Toowoomba crew
were tasked to Meandarra, South West of
Condamine, to airlift a male teenager.
The patient was helping on a property when he
was bitten by a King Brown snake on his left
leg. The CareFlight medical team were able to
treat the young man before airlifting him to the
Toowoomba Base Hospital for further treatment.
Another teenager was injured while pig shooting
and sustained a puncture wound to his
abdomen and we also airlifted a 10 month old
baby boy with a heart condition.
In an alarming statistic, seven of the 14
patients treated over the Christmas break
where either involved in a car or motor bike
accidents. So please take extra care on our
roads throughout 2012 and we hope everyone
enjoyed the Christmas holidays.
Donations
Flooding in For
Fundraising
Flood Book
Proceeds from the sale of Flood:
Brisbane Airport Reimburses Horror and Tragedy will go towards
RACQ CareFlight, as our service was
CareFlight’s Landing Fees instrumental in saving lives during
the devastating January floods
RACQ CareFlight and Brisbane Airport “By eliminating these costs, we can ensure that affected most of South West
Corporation Pty Limited (BAC) have that our funding is spent on saving lives Queensland.
announced a new partnership which will and improving our rescue service.”
The book is a gripping first-hand
see BAC reimburse all CareFlight’s landing
“We want to thank Brisbane presentation of the incredible events
fees at Brisbane Airport equating to almost of the disaster, including breath-taking
Airport for its generosity and
$20,000 per year. colour photographs taken during and after
dedication to charities like
RACQ CareFlight CEO Ashley van de Velde the event. It is a touching and unique
CareFlight.” publication that explores the horror and
said he was excited to have Brisbane
“Without this support and the support of suffering but also the height of human
Airport on board.
others like BAC, we simply couldn’t service courage.
“The decision to reimburse CareFlight’s the 3.5 million people living in our flight 100% of the publisher’s profits will be
aircraft landing and movement costs is one region.” donated to CareFlight and other charities,
that will save our not-for-profit organisation who assisted with rebuilding the shattered
vital funds every year,” he said. lives of Queensland’s flood victims.
Already, $10,000 has been donated to the
CareFlight Doctor on board
Red Cross, $2,000 to the Laidley Shire
Community Care Association, $2,000 to
Sunshine Coast Chopper
the Emerald Community Centre and also
$2,000 to CareFlight.
The book is just $49.95 and can
CareFlight doctors are not only doing be purchased online from www.
great work on board our own choppers floodhorrorandtragedy.com.au. The book is
they can be spotted on board all of also available at selected newsagents, ABC
Queensland’s emergency helicopters. shops, book stores, Big W and Kmart.
Dr James Howard is currently keeping
very busy with the AGL Rescue helicopter
which is based on the Sunshine Coast.
The 33 year old joined CareFlight in
June last year after moving to Australia
from California. Dr Howard says he is
thoroughly enjoying being a part of a
team that can really make a difference in
emergency situations.
BEQUEST Did you know that CareFlight Medical
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Services (CMS) employs around 60
Estate of Mary Beatrice Day through the doctors, nurses and medical support
Gold Coast Community Foundation staff who fly on board all of the state’s
Estate of Sarah Eleanor Winwick rescue and retrieval aircraft, including
CareFlight’s ten aircraft fleet?
www.careflightrescue.org.au
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