RACQ CapRescue, QFES and QAS rescue of woman in mine shaft who had suspected spinal, chest, and head injuries
Multiple emergency services agencies attended the scene where a woman fell 18 to 30 metres down an active mine shaft. Read here to find out how they rescued her.
Central Queensland
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A woman is in a stable but serious condition after falling 18 to 30 metres down an active mine shaft on Saturday and sustaining head, spine and chest injuries.
The Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS), the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES), and the RACQ CapRescue were called to Sapphire October 29 about 3pm for a serious incident.
A QAS spokesman confirmed a woman had fallen down a mine shaft at Sapphire and they were called to attend about 3.10pm.
The patient was treated for suspected spinal, chest and head injuries resulting from the fall accident.
RACQ CapRescue said that the mine shaft was active and that the woman fell while either climbing up or down the ladder of the vertical mine shaft.
A QFES spokesman said that the fall was at least 18 metres, although it was was roughly between 18 and 30 metres.
Before the QFES and the QAS paramedics went down the shaft the QFES conducted atmospheric testing to make sure it was safe to do so.
The QAS spokesperson said paramedics provided initial treatment on scene, by descending into the shaft to reach the patient.
RACQ CapRescue said with the assistance of QFES, the CapRescue team were lowered to the patient to provide further medication and treatment prior to extricating the patient from the vertical mine shaft.
The patient was then extricated vertically using a rescue stretcher.
RACQ CapRescue transported the patient to the Royal Flying Doctors facility in Rockhampton, where the patient was immediately flown to Brisbane.
The QFES arrived at the scene around 3:18 pm and the last QFES team left the scene at around 7:15pm.
The patient was in a serious but stable condition and will receive further treatment for her injuries in Brisbane.
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