The Voodoo Medic who saved the life of one of the first serious Australian casualties in Afghanistan

CHAD Elliott was one of the first Australian soldiers to be seriously wounded in Afghanistan, suffering a traumatic gunshot wound to his leg in 2007. The former commando credits one man for saving his life. LISTEN TO THE IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW PODCAST.

Commando Private Chad Elliot deployed to Afghanistan three times. Picture: Gary Ramage

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PRIVATE Chad Elliott was one of the first Australian soldiers to be seriously wounded in Afghanistan.

It is a day that the former commando describes as both vivid in parts but “a bit blurry”, and above all “pretty chaotic”.

The Special Forces operator served six years in the Australian Defence Force, signing up at 21 and deploying to Afghanistan three times, but it was August 4, 2007 that will stick with him forever.

He sat down with The Daily Telegraph for an extended chat during filming for the Voodoo Medics investigation.

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW HERE

Elliott was lead scout and about 50m in front of the commando platoon’s foot patrol near Khas Oruzgan when at least 20 Taliban fighters opened fire with AK47s and rocket-propelled grenades.

One of the first Taliban shots fired sent a high velocity projectile from a 7.62mm round smashing into the top of Elliott’s right leg. That same moment, a grenade exploded at his feet, spraying hot metal shrapnel into his left arm and abdomen.

Commando Private Chad Elliott.

“Getting shot was basically like getting hit with a sledgehammer,” Elliott said.

“Then a hot searing pain afterwards.”

As Elliott realised he couldn’t walk, he went into shock and rapidly lost blood.

“I stood up, my leg crumpled and snapped from where a bullet went through my femur and then my mates raced out and dragged me behind a rock”.

It was then that combat medic Jody Tieche got the call. “Move our bushmaster forward. We have a prior 1 casualty,” the platoon commander yelled.

Combat medic Jody Tieche. Picture: Supplied

Using a shot off antenna from one of the damaged vehicles, Tieche fashioned a splint between Elliott’s legs.

“The entry wound was probably about the size of a pinkie fingernail and exit wound probably larger than your fist,” Elliott said.

“It was very painful”.

Elliott credits Tieche for saving his life and keeping him relaxed, describing his treatment as “perfect”.

“If it wasn’t good I’d be dead right now.”