100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

Heroes in the sky: RACQ LifeFlight Rescue's record year of saving lives

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Flooded footbridge adds weight to call for new crossing

A community group says a bridge railing flattened by floodwater highlights a need for an all-weather active transport route to town. A railing on the More

‘Time for us to say goodbye’: longstanding cafe to close

A cafe has announced it will close its doors after nearly a decade serving customers. The cafe, which has served up breakfast and lunch since More

Beaches battered: how coastline was changed by ex-cyclone

The recovery phase is underway along Sunshine Coast beaches smashed by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Kilometres of coastline were pounded by a storm surge, strong winds More

Girl’s battle with severe infection spurs support for charity

A family that endured a life-threatening health scare is inspiring others to get behind a Sunshine Coast hospital charity that is aiming to raise More

Photo of the day: dawn patrol

An azure kingfisher looking for breakfast along Obi Obi Creek at Maleny. "I love the matching feet," photographer Sandy Gillis said. If you have a More

Coast drivers embrace award-winning vehicle

A car that is becoming a favourite with Sunshine Coast driving enthusiasts has been recognised with a prestigious award. The MINI Countryman has been awarded More

Sunshine Coast-based RACQ LifeFlight Rescue crews flew a record number of lifesaving missions in 2021.

The team was tasked on 551 critical missions, compared to 502, in 2020.

Those airlifts were valued at $13.7 million and saw the crews spend more than 750 hours in the air.

RACQ LifeFlight Rescue General Manager of Operations, Brian Guthrie, said the milestone highlighted how important the aeromedical service’s work was.

“We operate 365 days a year, 24/7, and we’re always ready for action, ensuring we can get critical medical care to people in need, as quickly as possible,” Mr Guthrie said.

The crews were called to a wide range of missions, including almost 100 motor vehicle incidents and 16 searches.

“We’re very proud that we’ve been able to make such a difference across Queensland in 2021.”

The view from an RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter.

Motor vehicle incidents came in as the second highest reason for callouts.

“Predominantly, these include crashes on and off road, as well as quad bike incidents,” Mr Guthrie said.

“Our crews are able to respond quickly, land on a hospital helipad and get critical patients straight into an emergency department or an ICU.”

One of the many jobs that showed the agility of the highly-trained crews included a tasking to a beach in the Gympie region, after a man was injured in an explosion during a barbecue.

The chopper hovered low over the sand, to allow the aeromedical team to carefully step off the aircraft and treat the patient at the scene. 

Top 5 reasons for callouts in 2021

  • Cardiac (106)
  • Motor vehicle accidents (96)
  • Serious illness/infection (48)
  • Neurological (40)
  • Falls (24)

The service’s long term naming rights sponsor, RACQ, has urged drivers to put safety first, to reduce the number of serious crashes on roads in the region.

“Last year 274 people lost their lives on Queensland roads. That’s thousands of lives changed forever, families and communities torn apart,” RACQ spokesperson Kate Leonard-Jones said.

“RACQ LifeFlight Rescue does an incredible job but we don’t want drivers meeting the crew because of a crash,” she said.

An RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter on the landing pad. Picture: Courtesy RACQ LifeFlight Rescue.

“It’s very simple, people need to remember the Fatal Five when they get behind the wheel.

“Wear a seatbelt, don’t speed, don’t drive if you’re tired or affected by drugs or alcohol and don’t be distracted.”

Help keep independent and fair Sunshine Coast news coming by subscribing to our free daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email. See SUBSCRIBE at the top of this article.

Across the state, RACQ LifeFlight Rescue’s fleet of community helicopters, Air Ambulance jets and Critical Care Doctors performed 6846 missions, which was a record for the service.

The service is funded by a combination of a service agreement with the Queensland Government, community fundraising, the sponsorship of RACQ and profit-for-purpose enterprises.

“The continuing demand on the service highlights how important it is that the community’s generosity keeps coming,” Mr Guthrie said.

 

 

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

Hidden
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share