The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) proudly delivers the finest care to the furthest corner, but fortunately for Adelaide motorcyclist Brenton Hollitt, our care was on hand to make an impact very close to home.
Late last year, Brenton was riding his bike along Sir Donald Bradman Drive near Adelaide Airport on his way home from work.
At the junction of Marion Road, he was involved in a vehicle accident that flung him off his bike and onto the road.
“You couldn’t script it,” Brenton said of the following moments.
The first person on the scene was a man who had just flown into Adelaide and was en route to the city.
The second was RFDS Retrieval Nursing Director, Vikki Denny, in uniform and on the way home herself.
“Vikki came up to me and said to the man, ‘I can help – I’m a Flying Doctor nurse’,” Brenton said.
“The man replied, ‘I’m a paramedic from London’.
"I really couldn’t have asked for better people to find me.
“The paramedic called for assistance as Vikki helped me. I was in a lot of pain – as it was a hot day, I hadn’t put on my protective (motorcycle) gear.
“It was so hot and I was only ten minutes from home.”
Brenton sustained three broken ribs, a broken thumb and abrasions in the accident. He was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital and spent five days in care.
While he couldn’t remember the names or faces of those who helped him, Brenton could recall the RFDS uniform.
He later shared his remarkable story with his friend and RFDS Senior Medical Practitioner, Dr Clive Hume.
Clive kindly helped ‘join the dots’ and this morning, Brenton and Vikki met at the Adelaide Base for a coffee and catch-up.
Having enjoyed a long career in the aviation industry, Brenton has many associations with former RFDS staff and the Adelaide Airport.
Until very recently, he piloted flights around the state and he currently works as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer at Corporate Aircraft Charter.
“It’s such a coincidence. I’ve been flying most of my life, but I never thought I’d encounter the Flying Doctor on the road.”
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