Pride of Australia: Paramedic Megan Brown

It was a scene of unimaginable horror: a B-double and car had collided and burst into flames. But all off-duty paramedic Megan Brown could think about was how to save the life of the tiny baby pulled from the wreckage.

WHEN Megan Brown came across the horrific crash, it didn’t matter that she was off duty, the paramedic launched into action.

Confronting her on the Bruce Highway at Cardwell, south of Mission Beach, was a tragedy of epic proportions.

Gemma Cosgrave and Steve Arthur with their son Phoenix.

Baby Jackson with his big brother Phoenix.

A vehicle carrying Bingil Bay couple Gemma Cosgrave, 37, and Steven Arthur, 34, and their baby son Jackson had collided with a B-double at high speed. And the car had burst into flames.

The quick-thinking truckie and a passing motorist pulled Jackson, eight months, from the wreck.

Tragically, nothing could be done for Gemma and Steven, who are also survived by son Phoenix, 7, who was not with them in the car.

Ms Brown, who was returning to Townsville after working a night shift in Cairns, moved quickly, realising a young baby was involved in the crash.

“The car was already well involved in fire at that point and the truck was burning as well,” she told The Sunday Mail. “I had a look and I could see the baby had some injuries.”

She called her communications centre on a stranger’s mobile phone and called in a chopper for an urgent medical evacuation.

Authorities later praised Ms Brown, the truck driver and the other motorist for a response they credit with saving baby Jackson’s life.

For her brave actions on June 4, Ms Brown has been nominated for a Pride of Australia medal.

Paramedic Megan Brown. Picture: Jamie Hanson

In characteristic humility, the critical care paramedic intern labelled the other two as the heroes.

“I just can’t reiterate enough how much of a horrific confronting scene that would have been for them to try and get into that car while it’s on fire,” she said.

“That’s definitely something that will stay with them for a long time.

“The fact that they’ve acted that way, and even found that the baby was in the car, was amazing, they have just done such a tremendous job to get the baby out.”

Reflecting back on that day, she described the day as “very tragic”.

“I did have a moment where I was sitting there going ‘well, I don’t actually know this baby’s name or anything about it’.

“Normally, I would be able to ask ‘does it have any medical problems’, that kind of thing, its history. So that was quite confronting to know his parents were gone.”

Jackson has fully recovered from his injuries, which included a broken pelvis and several abrasions.

He lives with Gemma’s sister Ellee and mother Merrin, who say he is the “happiest little boy in the world”.

“Jackson is doing really well,” she said.

Merrin praised those who rushed to his rescue that day.

“I’m glad that the people that helped Jackson out of the car are getting some recognition and my heart is broken for that poor truck driver,” she said.

She said Bingil Bay and Mission Beach locals had been supporting them.

“The community up here … have just been remarkable about helping out,” she said.