A seriously ill and ‘distressed’ farm worker was forced to seek help from nearby miners to get urgent medical treatment.
The 52-year-old man who was on a remote property at Belyando, about 300km west of Mackay and 160km northwest of Clermont, turned to workers at the nearby Bravus Mining and Resources Camp 6 about 3am Friday.
An RACQ CQ Rescue Service statement said the “distressed” man had suffered a “major” cardiac episode.
“The man presented at the camp gate well before dawn and was assisted by the site’s medical team and later a Queensland Ambulance Service officer who travelled more than 150km from Clermont,” the statement said.
Queensland Health tasked the RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter about 8am with the crew arriving at the Bravus camp’s helipad with a Critical Care Paramedic and doctor on board just shy of two hours later.
The rescue crew refuelled at Labona Airfield arriving at Mackay Base Hospital with the man in a stable condition about noon.
“The same trip by road would have taken more than four hours (each way),” the RACQ CQ Rescue statement said.
“Bravus Mining and Resources has been a major sponsor of the Mackay-based rescue helicopter since 2021.
“Their support (helps) ensure the lifesaving service is available to all workers and residents in regional and rural communities throughout Central Queensland when distances or locations are challenging.”
RACQ CQ Rescue CEO Tim Healee said the mine further reimbursed the service whenever a helicopter was require to refuel at Labona Airfield during missions.
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