Crash victim Laurel Mitchell thanks CareFlight team for second shot at life
IF not for the quick work by paramedics and pilot of CareFlight, Laurel Mitchell may not be alive today.
The Hills
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IF not for the quick work by paramedics and pilot of CareFlight, Laurel Mitchell may not be alive today.
The 34-year-old mother of Sienna was involved in a two-car accident at Schofields on April 9, and suffered serious injuries to her lower body and legs.
She was at Westmead Hospital for five weeks and her survival is nothing short of a miracle, according to her mum Margaret.
On July 2, Laurel was able to thank the CareFlight team including pilot John Hoad, Dr Peter Clark, who treated here at the scene and bus driver Allan Fleming — the first on the scene and comforted her. Ms Mitchell got in touch with him via the Careflight Facebook page.
Ms Mitchell, who knows it will be a long journey, was at Westmead Hospital for five weeks and her survival is nothing short of a miracle, .
“Yes, I am very lucky to be alive and have a second chance,” said Ms Mitchell, whose serious injuries include several broken bones, dislocated hip and shoulder, bleeding kidneys and collapsed lungs with blood clots.
“I would not be here if not for the amazing CareFlight team.”
“I can’t remember what happened and only found out about Alan when I read about him on the Careflight Facebook page, “ said Ms Mitchell, who is recovering at her parents’ home in Ebenezer.
“I was so happy to meet everyone who was at the accident and it was very emotional for me.”
”One of Allan’s colleagues posted a comment on CareFlight’s Facebook page and that enabled Laurel to reach out to Allan and thank him,” Careflight spokeswoman Susan Butler said.
“Laurel invited Allan to join her at CareFlight’s base to meet Dr Peter Clark who treated her that night.”
“She was trapped for some time and it was quite a difficult process to remove her from the car,” Dr Clark said. “She suffered serious injuries to her legs so it was great to see her walking through the doors today and looking so well.”
“Unfortunately the nature of our job means that when we are called to treat a patient they are
usually seriously injured and in a bad way.
“We always welcome the opportunity to meet patients under better circumstances and hear about their recovery.”
Laurel is now staying with parents Margaret and Dennis, long-serving members of their local fire brigades in Ebenezer and Hawkesbury.
“It will be a couple of years before Laurel will be almost back to normal but we are so grateful she is alive,” Mrs Mitchell said.
“Even the police officer, who attended the scene, saw a few months later, said he didn’t expect her to survive.”
■ CareFlight is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the aeromedical charity having been set up in Western Sydney in 1986.
CareFlight will be celebrating its 30th anniversary with a major fundraising gala ball on September 17 at Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney.
“It will be our pinnacle fundraising event for 2016,” a spokeswoman said.
“The exciting night will include exquisite food, fine wines, premium entertainment and a live and silent auction.”
■ Details: careflight.org or email: gala@careflight.org
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