LifeFlight, QGAir rescue helicopters respond to incidents in Hughenden, Taldora

North-West Queensland’s week-old LifeFlight rescue helicopter has made history following the ongoing retrieval of a woman badly hurt in a serious outback quad-bike accident.

LifeFlight’s AW139 helicopter based in Mount Isa in North-West Queensland. Picture: Supplied

North-West Queensland’s week-old LifeFlight rescue helicopter has made history following the ongoing retrieval of a woman badly hurt in a serious outback quad-bike accident.

Queensland Ambulance Service confirmed that a woman in her 20s had suffered head and neck injuries in the single-vehicle accident in sparsely populated Taldora in the Shire of McKinlay to the north-east of Mt Isa just before 2pm.

A QAS spokeswoman said the victim was being flown in a stable condition to Mt Isa Base Hospital.

A LifeFlight spokesman confirmed the incident was ongoing and involved its AW139 helicopter, the most advanced rescue helicopter to operate in the North West with a maximum cruise speed of 305kph and a range of 895km.

He said he believed it was the first time the helicopter had been able to undertake a rescue at such a distance without the need to refuel, an “historic first”.

LifeFlight’s AW139 helicopter based in Mount Isa in North-West Queensland. Picture: Supplied

Pilot Alex Dorr, who works as LifeFlight’s Brisbane base lead, flew the new helicopter from Archerfield Airport in Brisbane to Mount Isa Airport.

LifeFlight said he founded the Mount Isa Community Helicopter service (later known as NQ Rescue) in 2007 after identifying a need for an emergency helicopter rescue service in the North West.

The service merged with LifeFlight in 2015.

Young man in serious condition after gored by bull

A young man who suffered serious injuries after he was gored in the stomach by a bull on a rural outback property west of Townsville has been flown to hospital in dramatic circumstances. Picture: Cameron Bates

A young man who suffered serious injuries after he was gored in the stomach by a bull on a rural outback property west of Townsville has been flown to hospital in dramatic circumstances.

Queensland Ambulance Service confirmed the man, in his early 20s, had sustained serious injuries in the incident on a rural property sometime around 11.30am on Wednesday.

A QAS spokesman said the victim was flown by private helicopter to Hughenden Airport before he was transferred by paramedics to Hughenden Hospital.

In addition to abdominal injuries, the victim has also suffered rib and thigh injuries.

It is unclear whether or not the man has been transferred to Townsville University Hospital by the QGAir rescue helicopter.

Townsville Health and Hospital Service confirmed the patient was being transferred to TUH.

A THHS spokesman said the man was listed in a stable condition.

Originally published as LifeFlight, QGAir rescue helicopters respond to incidents in Hughenden, Taldora