Woman crushed by 400kg steer near Roma speaks out and thanks LifeFlight

A Maranoa woman who was crushed by a 400kg steer four weeks ago is well on her way to recovery thanks to LifeFlight. Read what she had to say.

A Maranoa beef producer, whose wife was airlifted after she was crushed by a 400kg steer, has had a touching reunion with some of the helicopter crew members who rushed to her rescue.

Heidi Ross was doing a routine walk through the pens of the couple’s rural property 75km southwest of Roma on October 26 when the unimaginable happened.

“A steer knocked me down and then landed on top of my back,” Ms Ross said.

“I literally couldn’t walk out.

“I’m down in the pens every day, and the animals have become quite acclimatised to noise and people. It just happened to be a freak accident.”

While Queensland Ambulance Service paramedics rushed to the scene to begin treatment, the Roma-based LifeFlight Surat Gas Aeromedical Service helicopter was called into action.

Heidi Ross' LifeFlight SGAS airlift from their property in October 2022.

“I could hear the ambulance medicos saying they were calling a helicopter to come out, and within five minutes, I could hear the rotors coming up the hill,” Ms Ross said.

After pilot David Rockwell landed the aircraft at the property, the LifeFlight SGAS medical team, including Critical Care Doctor Gareth Richards, joined the paramedics in treating Ms Ross before she was airlifted to Roma for further medical attention.

Ms Ross suffered several bone fractures in her lower spine and spent a week in Roma Hospital rehabilitating.

Four weeks on, she was recovering well.

(Left to right) LifeFlight pilot Russell Procter, Flight paramedic Brad Solomon, Critical Care Doctor Gareth Richards, Roma farmer Chris Skelton, and LifeFlight pilot David Rockwell. Picture: LifeFlight.

From being unable to walk unaided, she is now back at home, crediting a combination of rehabilitation, good health and the swift work of LifeFlight’s SGAS crew for her speedy recovery.

“I was very lucky. It could have been far worse, it’s pretty close to the spinal cord,” Ms Ross said.

To show his thanks, Ms Ross’ husband Chris Skelton donated three of their bullocks to the Ray White Rural Roma cattle sale for LifeFlight.

The bullock auction raised roughly $18,000, after the livestock were bought, donated back and re-sold nine times by other generous Roma graziers and industry supporters at the event on November 22.

The impressive sum will be donated to contribute to the new LifeFlight Emergency Response Facility project currently under construction in Roma.

The brand new LifeFlight Emergency Response Facility project currently under construction in Roma. Picture: LifeFlight.

Mr Skelton was also able to meet some of the crew members who airlifted his wife.

“I’m impressed that while she is recovering, they are thinking about helping us and the community,” said LifeFlight SGAS Pilot David Rockwell.

“The new facility they’re supporting will enable us to respond even faster and allow us to reach people in need even sooner.”

Ms Ross said she and her husband were glad they could give back to such a vital service.

“I’m very lucky the helicopter was able to come out with just a phone call, and that the crew made me feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible,” she said.

“Aeromedical services in the west are paramount.

“I want to say a big thank you to LifeFlight SGAS for coming to my aid. We’re very grateful for the services and that we’re able to use them when we need to.”