’Miracle baby’: How rescue team saved brave Warwick boy’s life
Nearly 650 people attended the LifeFlight Toowoomba Gala at the weekend to celebrate and recognise the life-changing work of the rescue team. Check out our photo gallery from the event here.
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Becoming parents was a long journey for Vanessa and Mark Richards who went through five intense rounds of IVF before they welcomed their son Emmett into the world four years ago.
So their entire world came crashing down when Emmett who was aged two at the time, developed a severe case of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in March 2021.
The couple who lived in Warwick at the time rushed their son to hospital with symptoms including abnormal breathing, temperatures, vomiting and disinterest in eating or drinking.
As little Emmett’s health continued to deteriorate, the RACQ LifeFlight Rescue team were then called in to assist and the Richards family credits the charity for saving their son’s life.
“After going through so much to have him we knew Emmett was precious – he’s our little miracle baby,” Ms Richards said.
“(When Emmett was sick) it was an experience you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy and it’s something that really changes you.”
The chopper’s rescue team were able to fly Emmett to Toowoomba Hospital and put him on a ventilator before transporting him to a Gold Coast hospital via ambulance, where he was admitted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.
The loving parents who have become passionate advocates about the importance of the RSV vaccination, said they could not express how grateful they were to LifeFlight.
“We’re so grateful for all the LifeFlight team did and I’m fairly certain there would have been a different outcome for us as a family without their help,” Ms Richards said.
“At one stage when we were on the helicopter I just burst into tears and one of the critical care paramedics knelt down and told me it was going to be OK.”
Emmett has since made a full recovery with his mum describing him as a “delightfully boisterous and excited” little boy.
Attending the organisation’s annual gala in Toowoomba on Saturday night, Ms Richards said the charity was crucial for saving the lives of others particularly in rural areas like Warwick.
Nearly 650 people attended the event and helped raise more than $747,000 for the cause, breaking last year’s total by almost $500,000.
Presented by the Granite Belt Brewery and organised by the LifeFlight Darling Downs Regional Advisory Committee and the LifeFlight Foundation, the event was held at The Goods Shed.
Several fundraising initiatives were held on the night through raffles and auctions.
Attendees also enjoyed a two-course meal, five-hour drink package and live entertainment by The Filthy Animals.
Event photo gallery
Originally published as ’Miracle baby’: How rescue team saved brave Warwick boy’s life
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