Daredevil birthday boy celebrates after lifesaving rescue

RACQ CQ Rescue kicks off annual fundraising campaign

FLYING HIGH: Curtis, Renee, Ethan, Shane and Issac Watson, front row, met with RACQ CQ Rescue pilot Doug White and air crewman Russell James. Picture: RACQ CQ Rescue

ETHAN WATSON turned five yesterday -he's inquisitive, cheeky and according to his mum, "a bit of a daredevil”. It's hard to believe nearly three years ago he was in hospital fighting for his life.

In 2016 Ethan was airlifted to hospital by RACQ CQ Rescue after suffering life-threatening injuries on his grandparents' farm at Koumala.

He was only two years old when he fell from an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and suffered critical head injuries.

Ethan had been seated in the front of the vehicle with his father Shane Watson and older brother Curtis when the accident occurred.

His father and the local ambulance officer administered first aid but Ethan was in an altered state of consciousness when the RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter landed at the farm.

He was transferred to the Mackay Base Hospital in a serious condition accompanied by his mother Renee Watson. He was eventually transferred to the intensive care unit of Lady Cilento Children's Hospital in Brisbane, his condition critical.

Ethan suffered several fractures to his tiny skull and around 11 small but serious bleeds, including a life-threatening one on the frontal lobe.

The frontal lobe is the part of the brain that controls important cognitive skills and is, in essence, the "control panel” of a person's personality and their ability to communicate.

Ethan spent two long months in hospital re-learning how to use the lefthand side of his body.

In what seems serendipitous, he celebrated his 5th birthday yesterday, the same day the Annual Appeal kicked off for the Mackay rescue service that helped to save his life.

Recently, on a special and emotional day, Ethan and his family returned to visit the team and deliver a special message.

"When our lives changed forever you were there and without you, we are sure we wouldn't have our little boy today,” Mrs Watson told RACQ CQ Rescue pilot Doug White.

Chief executive officer of RACQ CQ Rescue Ian Rowan said the Annual Appeal was one of the service's major fundraisers.

"Our funding model requires significant community investment - without out it we can't be the lifeline residents, workers and visitors in Central Queensland deserve, so it's absolutely imperative they show us their support.

"As the Watson family know well, life can change in a moment and you never know when injury or illness will strike,” Mr Rowan said.

To donate to RACQ CQ Rescue visit: cqrescue.org.au/donate

Originally published as Daredevil birthday boy celebrates after lifesaving rescue