Ozcare worker Ann Seaniger fights for life after Walkerston crash

The daughter of an Ozcare nurse injured in a shocking Queensland crash says her mum has had to undergo two major surgeries but had just started to show promising signs she may pull off a miraculous recovery.

Ozcare worker Ann Seaniger is fighting for her life after a horror crash on Peak Downs Highway. Photo: Contributed

The daughter of an Ozcare nurse critically injured in a horror highway crash has been at her mother’s bedside since she learned the “full of life” community worker was “fighting for her life”.

Ann Seaniger has had two major surgeries and is in an induced coma at Townsville Hospital after a multi vehicle crash on the Peak Downs Highway next to the Walkerston Cemetery about 8am on Tuesday, July 11.

Her daughter Kathryn Wilson and other family are right by her bedside.

“I was holding mum’s hand and talking to her, asking her to squeeze my hand … and she squeezed my hand,” Kathryn said.

“(It’s just) pretty amazing feeling my Mum’s hand squeeze mine.

Ozcare worker Ann Seaniger is fighting for her life after a horror crash on Peak Downs Highway at Walkerston. Photo: Contributed

“She literally is my best friend … it was so special when she grabbed my hand like that.”

‘FIGHTING FOR LIFE’

Kathryn said she learned of the incident about 10.30am that same day, it was the first time her mother had been in a collision.

“I was at Canelands with a client … I had rung her on my way to work and she didn’t answer,” Kathryn said.

“Little did I know she was fighting for her life.”

The Peak Downs Highway is blocked after a serious traffic crash on the morning of July 11, 2023. Picture: Heidi Petith

Kathryn said Ozcare let her know about the crash, and then even sent someone to drive her to Mackay Base Hospital to see her mum.

Ann was soon flown to Townsville for heart surgery after a tear was found in her aorta, and then further major surgery after more tears were found in her diaphragm.

Two 50-year-old men and a primary school aged child were also taken to Mackay hospital, but Kathryn said she had been told Ann’s injuries were by far the most serious.

MUM COMPASSIONATE COMMUNITY WORKER

Ann, 67, was apparently considering retirement at the encouragement of her daughter.

Two 50-year-old men and a primary school aged child were also taken to Mackay Base Hospital as a result of the crash. Picture: Heidi Petith

An extremely community-minded woman, Ann works as an assistant in nursing for Ozcare, performed street chaplaincy services on weekends, and helped out at Meals on Wheels.

A disability support worker herself, Kathryn said she had resigned from her job at Next Step Mackay to support her mother.

Kathryn said seeing her mum in a hospital bed was “pretty confronting”, as she had always been a picture of health.

“My Mum was just full of life … very active, very healthy,” Kathryn said.

“She is 67 but looks like she’s in her 40s.

“I don’t even remember a time when Mum was sick.

Ms Seaniger is in an induced coma at Townsville Hospital. Photo: Contributed

“(Now) we don’t know what this had done to her.”

“She’s got a huge road ahead.”

Ann remains in an induced coma a week after the crash and only began responding to commands, like to squeeze her daughter’s hand.

Though the future remains uncertain, Townsville doctors are heartened Ann has survived two major surgeries and Kathryn said she still had hope for her mum’s recovery.

“This is a miracle … that she’s still with us”.