Shot cop thanks his saviour on behalf of all South Australians

MEDICAL retrieval expert Dr Bill Griggs saved STAR Group officer Derrick McManus’ life 24 years ago — now he has thanked the retiring world renowned medico on behalf of all South Australians.

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DOCTOR Bill Griggs once held Derrick McManus’s life in his hands. Their bond is largely unspoken but yesterday, Sgt McManus thanked Dr Griggs for saving his life, and thousands of others, during his acclaimed 42-year career.

Using skills developed over decades of emergency medicine, Dr Griggs and his team managed to stem the flow of blood from 14 bullet wounds that peppered the then STAR Group officer’s lifeless body in May 1994.

Dr Griggs, 61, will today retire as the Director of Trauma Services and Senior Consultant (intensive care, retrieval services and anaesthetics) at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

He leaves a legacy that is unrivalled in the medical arena in Australia — and a reputation for excellence in his field that is world renowned.

Dr Bill Griggs works on shooting victim, STAR group senior constable Derrick McManus. Derrick was shot 14 times by Tony Grosser. Picture: Supplied

While he has saved countless lives in SA and in disaster zones across the globe, the role of his team saving Sgt McManus’ life after he was shot by a gunman in the notorious Nuriootpa siege in 1994 stands as a landmark in medical retrievals in Australia.

Dr Griggs said while it was unusual to maintain a friendship with those he had saved, he formed a bond with Sgt McManus because of the manner in which he recovered from the mental and physical trauma.

“It is often not wise to maintain contact with victims because it can often be a reminder of the trauma they have been through and this can impact their recovery,’’ Dr Griggs said.

“But the way in which Derrick not just survived, recovered and moved on from what happened to him is just remarkable.’’

Sgt McManus today said he remembered only intermittent details of being treated by Dr Griggs and his team as his life hung in the balance.

Renowned Emergency Doctor Bill Griggs with STAR Force officer Derrick McManus who was shot while on duty. Picture Sarah Reed

“I can remember him talking about my blood pressure being seriously low and needing to get fluids into me quickly,’’ he said.

Sgt McManus said every other South Australian also owed Dr Griggs a debt for his “unselfish service over many, many decades.’’ “Bill will be remembered for a long time,’’ he said.

“He has affected hundreds of thousands of lives not just in South Australia, people will not forget him.

“His legacy will live beyond him.

“He has been the leader of the teams behind him and they will continue doing this work as well.

“Bill has always been very humble, but he drives the team to success. You cannot achieve on your own.’’

In a revealing interview with The Advertiser, Dr Griggs revealed for the first time he feared he would not be able to save McManus’ life, his own battle with post traumatic stress disorder and his belief that public attitudes to driving need to change — by treating roads like a workplace with hazards — if the road toll is to be further reduced.

Dr Griggs said there were several reasons for retiring from emergency medicine, including the toll it has taken on him mentally and losing some of the passion he once had.

“But I have also been doing this job for over 20 years and don’t particularly want to do a higher job in the system,’’ he said.

Renowned Emergency Doctor, Bill Griggs witt STAR Force officer Derrick McManus who was shot while on duty. Picture: Sarah Reed

“I am now involved with some boards and have found there are other things you can do to make a difference to a lot of people. I am enjoying contributing in those areas.

“It is time for me to let other people do this. It might be that in a year or two I decide I want to get actively involved in the frontline of health in some way again and I would not rule that out.’’

Dr Griggs deputy, Dr Dan Ellis, will act in the role and is frontrunner to win the position.