GoFundMe for CQ rescue chopper after Peak Downs Hwy crash

One driver lost his arm in head on collision on the Peak Downs Highway. But a CQ rescue team helped save his life, and now his friends and family want to repay them.

Central Queensland man Peter Stowers lost his arm in a head on truck and car crash on the Peak Downs Highway near Coppabella on April 27, 2021.

Colleagues of a man who lost his arm in a horror head-on crash have started a fundraiser to support services that saved his life.

Peter (Pete) Stowers, 22, was critically injured when the ute he was driving collided with a semi-trailer on the Peak Downs Highway at Coppabella in central Queensland about 8am on April 27.

Mr Stowers, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, had to be cut from the wreckage and was flown by RACQ CQ Rescue to Mackay Base Hospital.

It was understood he had finished work near Moranbah and was headed home when the incident occurred, which resulted in his arm being amputated.

The crash occurred on the Peak Downs Highway. Picture: RACQ CQ Rescue

His colleague, Scott McIntosh, said the close-knit team was 'pretty rattled' to hear about the crash.

"It definitely shocked a lot of people," he said.

"Especially trying to come to terms with how close to home it was.

"You hear about these accidents but when it's someone you see everyday, it's a bit of a shock."

Mr Stowers had surgery in Mackay and was later taken to Brisbane for further surgery on his arm, but has been in good spirits.

Mr McIntosh said Mr Stowers' friends and colleagues wanted to help in some way, and after speaking with his family, decided to fundraise for Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service, which assisted in saving their friend's life.

"They were able to give him blood at the scene and fly to hospital, but without those two things he probably wouldn't have survived," he said.

RACQ CQ Rescue was tasked to the scene. Picture: RACQ CQ Rescue

The GoFundMe page has since raised $2670 of a $10,500 goal, which would cover about one hour of the rescue chopper's time.

"We talked about figures and what we could aim for, and I found on their annual report, they average about $10,500 an hour, so if we can make that, we can cover an hour of their time," Mr McIntosh said.

"This is a way that we can give back to the guys who helped Pete after the accident and that will help someone in the future."

The Mackay based service has rescued, transferred, retrieved and winched thousands of people since it started, with the crew available 24 hours a day to provide rapid response critical care.

"Everyone who lives in the region knows someone who has been helped by the service," Mr McIntosh said.

"They get people back to care when they need it, so it's a great cause to get behind.

"It would be good to reach the goal, knowing that as a community, as a region, we've raised this much to help them out."

Click here to visit the GoFundMe page and donate to the cause.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Originally published as 'He wouldn't have survived': Mates give back to rescuers