You never know when you might need a service you've never used before. That was the situation for Luke, a senior corporate executive in Brisbane, whose brief adventure in the outback led to his first call to the Flying Doctor.
After spending over 15 years in his corporate role, Luke was eager for a change. The opportunity to muster on a family member’s remote cattle station seemed like the perfect escape from his usual routine.
“The drive from Brisbane took more than 15 hours, with the final five hours on rough dirt roads,” Luke said.
“The property is hundreds of thousands of acres, and truly remote, a scale that is difficult to comprehend.”
Eager to dive into his new experience, Luke wasted no time and was straight onto a motorbike mustering cattle from day one.
“The first three days were brilliant!” he said.
“But then, on the fourth day, while I was on horseback, something scared my horse.
“I was thrown forward and crashed into the dirt.”
In an instant, Luke was on the ground, disoriented and in severe pain, struggling to understand what had happened, where he was and who was around him.
The ringers acted swiftly, calling for an ambulance and reaching out to the Royal Flying Doctor Service for urgent help.
The station’s runway was quickly cleared of cattle and horses and graded, allowing the RFDS aircraft to land safely on the property and minimise any delay in Luke’s care.
Despite the difficult situation he was in, Luke found a sense of calm once on board the aircraft, under the expert care of the aeromedical team.
Though he was fortunate to avoid any brain injuries, Luke wasn’t completely unscathed.
“I had eight breaks and fractures in my face and jaw,” he said.
“I underwent surgery back in Brisbane, where they had to plate my jaw and cheek bone.”
With his newfound understanding and deep appreciation for the service, Luke can’t imagine what he would have done without the RFDS.
“It is truly remarkable how they can deliver critical care to such an isolated area,” he said.
“Living in Brisbane, it’s easy to forget just how vital these services are.”
Now back in the city, Luke is focusing on his recovery and reflecting on his experience.
“They say when you fall off a horse the best thing to do is get back on, but that’s not for me,” he said.
“For now, I think I’ll leave my RM Williams in Eagle Street.”
