ATV crash survivor Kieran Harrison meets the Tasmanian team who saved his life
A Tasmanian dad who jumped back on his ATV after sustaining serious internal injuries causing a ‘massive bleed’, tells how rescuers saved his life. His story.
Tasmania
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A Tasmanian father who sustained serious injuries in an ATV crash last year near Hamilton has met the team who saved his life.
August 6, 2023, started like any other day for Kieran Harrison.
He was riding his ATV with a couple of friends on a track he knew quite well when he hit a tree stump at 60km/h.
The father of two was thrown off his ATV and suffered extensive internal injuries, including to his spleen, a torn kidney, broken ribs, and internal bleeding.
“I hit the tree stump, and the bike stopped, but unfortunately, I kept going,” he said.
“At the time, I thought I just injured my stomach area, maybe broke some ribs. I didn’t think too much of it.
“I jumped back on the bike and rode to the cars, but that’s when things went a little bit pear-shaped.”
A road ambulance arrived when Mr Harrison collapsed and began losing consciousness.
The road paramedic assessed Mr Harrison as being in a critical situation and called a helicopter to transport him to the Royal Hobart Hospital.
Intensive Care Flight Paramedic Andy Summers and Ambulance Tasmania retrieval contact Dr Anke Barta were on duty that fateful day.
Mr Summers said that when they arrived at the scene, Mr Harrison began to show the first signs of shock.
“He was conscious and could talk to us, but he was a bit confused and looked pale, sweaty, and unwell,” Mr Summers said.
“His heart rate was elevated, but his blood pressure was still acceptable.”
Dr Barta said for a patient like Mr Harrison, time is crucial.
“The first paramedic on the scene had identified that his tummy was getting bigger quickly, indicating a massive bleed,” she said.
“This paramedic made the call for the helicopter, which was the right decision – it was a lifesaving one.
“Without the helicopter, it would have been a one-and-a-half-hour drive to the Royal Hobart Hospital.”
Mr Summers said he was pleased to see Mr Harrison in good health.
“It’s fantastic to be here today,” he said.
“We don’t get many opportunities to catch up with people, whether they be for a medical cause or a search and rescue cause, but to be able to close the loop is just awesome.”
Mr Harrison was grateful to the team, saying that without their help, he may not have survived his injuries.
“I was quite experienced with motorbikes and quad bikes over the years; this was just a freak accident,” Mr Harrison said.
“It was a slow recovery. I spent about three weeks in the hospital and eight weeks out of work, but I have made a full recovery.
“It is quite a surreal feeling being here and meeting the people who saved my life. I can’t thank them enough.”
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