Geelong teenager Noah Chandler badly injured while camping in New South Wales

A North Geelong grandfather has described the moment a tree fell on his caravan, with his teenage grandson inside. WATCH THE VIDEO

If Geoff Chandler hadn’t indulged in another drink on a camping trip, he and grandson Noah may not be alive today.

Mr Chandler, 62, took his 13-year-old grandson Noah Chandler on his first ever camping trip to New South Wales on Boxing Day.

The following evening, after two days exploring the town of Corowa and settling into camp, Mr Chandler said he had another beer, while Noah, from Norlane, went into their caravan to charge his phone.

While walking around the campsite at about 9.30pm, Mr Chandler said he heard “crackling” followed a few seconds later by a “big bang”.

The North Geelong resident said when the dust settled, he saw a tree had fallen onto the caravan, crushing it while Noah was still inside.

Noah Chandler was camping in NSW with his grandfather Geoff when a tree fell onto their caravan. Noah was inside it at the time and is lucky to be alive. Picture: Alan Barber

“It was heart-wrenching, it was horrible, because I knew he was in there,” Mr Chandler said.

He said the other campsite visitors rushed over to help, asking if anyone was inside.

He said he was unable to speak from the shock, with Noah not responding to calls asking if he was okay for a full five minutes.

Mr Chandler said one camper got on top of the caravan to help, while others climbed inside to stabilise Noah’s head and back until paramedics arrived.

Noah suffered a broken arm, a collapsed lung, four broken ribs, a severe blood nose, suspected concussion, and lacerations to his arms and legs.

Noah Chandler, 13, was treated in Albury before being transferred to Melbourne. Picture: Supplied

He was treated in Albury before being taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.

Mr Chandler said if he hadn’t grabbed another drink, the pair would’ve been asleep in their beds, which were both completely crushed in the incident.

“I can’t get the negatives out of my head … just what could’ve happened,” he said.

“I know he’s on the mend, and that’s the best thing, but I just can’t stop thinking what could’ve happened.”

Mr Chandler said the caravan and his car were write offs …

But he didn’t care, because Noah survived. Pictures: Supplied

Mr Chandler said many people in the community had come forward to offer support to Noah after the incident about 11 days ago.

He said Joel Selwood and Mark Howard had both sent Noah messages of hope.

Mr Chandler said as a mad sports fan, Noah was incredibly excited to be invited to go to the North Melbourne Football Club’s first training session.

“He’s all excited about that,” Mr Chandler said.

“So he’s coping pretty well.

“Mentally, I think he’ll be okay, which is good. He can’t remember a lot of it.”

Mr Chandler said Noah was looking forward to the school year beginning, when he can share his story with his classmates.

Originally published as Geelong teenager Noah Chandler badly injured while camping in New South Wales